Jesús Madrazo  Real de Asua is from one of the founding families of Compania Vinicola del Norte Espana (CVNE) and his much loved father José was Co-Founder of Contino in 1973, the first single estate in Rioja.

Jesús, who is the 5th Generation of CVNE founding family, joined as winemaker in Haro in 1995 and in 1999 was appointed Senior Winemaker at Contino Estate where he gained global recognition. He also created the first ever 100% Graciano in Spain.

In 2017 Jesús left Contino in search of new challenges and set up his own business with his initial focus being on unique wines from DOCa Rioja & DO Ribera del Duero.

Winemaker’s Description & Tasting Notes

With this 2019 vintage, almost classified as ‘excellent’ by the Consejo Regulador, I made the decision to remove the CRIANZA “category” from my wine and focus more on the line of a “Signature Wine”.

This allows me to continue my exploration of the art of blending, by using, on this occasion, no less than 5 grape varieties!

This year I introduced some Mazuela which added a balanced tannic character and a final freshness.

I am still excited about using some of my friend Barbara Palacios’s Merlot (although I still cannot mention it on the label!) and the sweet tannin that it brings to the mix, softening, together with the warmth of Garnacha, the rusticity of the Graciano.

As a result, the wine has a clean and deep Picota Cherry colour.

There is an intense nose of red fruit, wild berries and blackberry, minty chocolate and spicy notes of black pepper and clove.

In the mouth it is fresh with very good acidity and well-balanced fruit and oak notes.