Bodega Contador

Bodega Contador: A Prestigious Winery in Rioja

The world of wine is dotted with legendary estates, but few have a story as captivating as that of Bodega Contador. Located in the famous wine region of Rioja in Spain, this house embodies passion, precision, and innovation, thanks to its creator, Benjamin Romeo. From its humble beginnings in 1996 to its international recognition, Bodega Contador has established itself as a major player in luxury winemaking.

Benjamin Romeo, a passionate winemaker and viticulturist, founded Bodega Contador with a clear vision: to produce exceptional wines that reflect both the unique terroir of Rioja and its traditional expertise. This adventure began in his father's garage, beneath the castle of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, and quickly evolved to become an icon in the world of great wines.

The History of Bodega Contador: A Remarkable Rise

The Beginnings in 1996: A Passion for Wine

The story of Bodega Contador begins in 1996 when Benjamin Romeo embarks on crafting his first wine, named Cueva del Contador. This first vintage marks the start of an adventure that would revolutionize the wine landscape of Rioja. At that time, Benjamin, ambitious and passionate, worked in his father's garage while purchasing several small parcels in the region.

The First Vintage of Contador in 1999

In 1999, Benjamin Romeo produced the first vintage of the wine that would become the signature of his estate: Contador. This wine, made from the best parcels and using traditional methods, quickly received praise from industry experts. It was in 2000 that he decided to devote himself full-time to wine production, seeing the potential of his creations.

International Recognition: Robert Parker's Masterstroke

The rise of Bodega Contador reached its peak in 2004 and 2005 when the famous American critic Robert Parker awarded these two vintages the perfect score of 100/100. This spotlight strengthened the brand's global notoriety and placed Benjamin Romeo's wines among the most sought-after. This success demonstrates the exceptional quality of the work carried out by the winemaker, combining tradition and innovation.

Opening of the New Bodega in 2008

Faced with this growing recognition, Benjamin Romeo inaugurated a new modern bodega in 2008, located at the foot of the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra. Surrounded by its different vineyards, this bodega became the heart of Bodega Contador's production. Through this new structure, Benjamin could exploit the full potential of his vines, rigorously selecting the best parcels to create complex and nuanced wines.

The Terroir and Vines: Exceptional Diversity

One of the main strengths of Bodega Contador lies in the diversity of its parcels. The estate includes more than 50 different parcels, each offering unique characteristics in terms of soils, microclimates, altitudes, and grape varieties. This variety allows Benjamin Romeo to create incredibly complex wines, where each bottle reflects the specific terroir from which it originates.

Diversified Parcels: Keys to the Complexity of the Wines

The vineyards of Bodega Contador are spread over several types of soils, ranging from clay to limestone, with varied exposures that directly influence the maturation of the grapes. This multiplicity allows harvesting grapes with distinct aromatic profiles, contributing to the richness and depth of the wines.

Sustainable and Organic Practices

Bodega Contador is also recognized for its sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Benjamin Romeo adopts an organic approach, using organic fertilizers and limiting chemical treatments to what is strictly necessary. The harvest is carried out by hand, ensuring meticulous care at every stage of production.

Winemaking at Bodega Contador: A Precise Art

Winemaking within Bodega Contador is a rigorous process, combining tradition and innovation. Each step is meticulously controlled to ensure the best possible quality, from harvest to bottling.

An Artisanal Work

The grapes are harvested manually in small boxes of 14 kg to avoid any deterioration. They are then quickly transported to the cellar within a maximum of 30 minutes, thus guaranteeing freshness and preventing oxidation of the fruits.

Aging in Barrels and Influence of Lunar Cycles

Bodega Contador's wines are aged in barrels for 18 to 20 months, and each movement of the wine in the cellars is carefully scheduled according to the lunar cycles. This ancestral method is supposed to improve the quality of the wine by promoting its natural evolution and respecting its biological rhythms.

Rigorous Selection of Oaks and Corks

Benjamin Romeo attaches great importance to the quality of materials used to age and bottle his wines. The barrels are made from carefully selected oaks, while the corks come from renowned Spanish forests (Castellón, Toledo, Girona, etc.). This attention to detail contributes to the finesse and longevity of the wines produced by the bodega.

The Great Wines of Bodega Contador

Contador: The Flagship Wine

Contador is undoubtedly the emblematic wine of the Bodega. This red wine, which has twice obtained the maximum score of 100/100 from Robert Parker, is a true masterpiece. It is made from the best parcels of the estate and aged with particular attention to create a wine of exceptional depth and richness.

Contador's aromas are intense and complex, combining notes of ripe black fruits, spices, and noble wood. Its silky texture and well-integrated tannins offer a unique tasting experience, with exceptional aging potential.

La Cueva del Contador

Another must-try wine from the estate, La Cueva del Contador is a red wine with a rich and powerful nose. It stands out for its aromatic complexity, blending notes of red fruits and flowers with a subtle touch of minerality. This wine perfectly embodies the terroir of Rioja and the expertise of Benjamin Romeo.

Predicador

Predicador is a more accessible wine but remains exceptional nonetheless. Made from the estate's young vines, this wine offers a lovely freshness and fruity aromas. It is perfect for those who wish to discover the universe of Bodega Contador without investing in the more prestigious cuvées.

International Prestige and Distinctions

Bodega Contador has managed to rise to the top of the greatest wine producers thanks to its constant concern for quality and the recognition it has received from international critics. The score of 100/100 awarded by Robert Parker to the 2004 and 2005 vintages of Contador marked a decisive turning point in the estate's history, offering it global visibility.

Successful Tastings and Prestigious Awards

Besides Parker, many experts and wine enthusiasts around the world regularly praise the estate's cuvées for their impeccable quality, aromatic complexity, and aging potential.

FAQ about Bodega Contador

What is the history of Bodega Contador? Bodega Contador was founded in 1996 by Benjamin Romeo, who began producing wine in his father's garage in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, in Rioja. His first vintage, "Cueva del Contador," was released the same year, and the estate quickly developed thanks to the exceptional quality of its wines.

What are the emblematic wines of Bodega Contador? The most emblematic wines of Bodega Contador are Contador, which has twice received a score of 100/100 from Robert Parker, Cueva del Contador, and Predicador.

What makes Bodega Contador's wines so special? Bodega Contador's wines stand out due to the diversity of their parcels, sustainable viticultural practices, barrel aging according to lunar cycles, and meticulous selection of materials such as corks and oaks used for aging.

What is the winemaking method used at Bodega Contador? Winemaking at Bodega Contador is a meticulous process that begins with manual harvesting of the grapes, followed by aging in barrels for 18 to 20 months, depending on lunar cycles.

Why did Robert Parker award Contador 100/100? Robert Parker awarded the score of 100/100 to the 2004 and 2005 vintages of Contador due to their complexity, depth, and ability to capture the essence of Rioja's terroir.

Where is Bodega Contador located? Bodega Contador is located at the foot of the village of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, in the wine region of Rioja, Spain.

Conclusion

Bodega Contador embodies excellence in the art of winemaking. Thanks to the passionate vision of Benjamin Romeo, its wines have become world references, combining tradition, innovation, and respect for the terroir. Whether you are a grand cru enthusiast or simply curious to discover the world of Spanish wine, Bodega Contador's wines are an invitation to explore exceptional expertise.