{"product_id":"2018-benjamin-romeo-coleccion-no-1-parcela-la-liende","title":"2018 Bodega Contador Benjamín Romeo Colección Nº 1 Parcela La Liende","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe 2018 Benjamín Romeo Colección Nº 1 Parcela La Liende is a rare, single-vineyard red from one of Rioja’s most celebrated artisans. Crafted in tiny quantities from an old Tempranillo parcel in Rioja Alta, it captures the opulence and finesse that have made Benjamín Romeo a modern benchmark in Spanish wine. This is a collector’s bottling that balances plush fruit, precision, and serious aging potential.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2018 Parcela La Liende shows a deep, saturated cherry-red core with a violet rim, signaling both concentration and youthful energy. The nose is immediately expressive and layered: ripe black cherries, dark plums, and wild strawberries are intertwined with notes of violets, sweet spice, cocoa, and finely integrated French oak, alongside hints of licorice, graphite, and dried Mediterranean herbs.\n\nOn the palate, the wine is full-bodied, creamy, and voluptuous, with a generous, juicy core of black and red fruits wrapped in polished yet still youthful tannins. The 18 months in new French oak barriques lend subtle notes of vanilla bean, toasted cedar, and mocha, without overwhelming the purity of the fruit. There is a fine, chalky structure from the poor alluvial soils, giving the wine lift and definition, and a long, persistent finish with mineral and spice undertones. While already impressive and expressive in its youth, the firm but ripe tannic frame suggests excellent aging potential over 12–20 years, during which the oak will fully integrate and the wine’s savory and tertiary notes will deepen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eParcela La Liende is an old-vine Tempranillo vineyard in Rioja Alta, rooted in very poor alluvial soils that naturally restrict yields and concentrate flavor. The site’s combination of altitude, diurnal temperature shifts, and meager soils produces small, intensely flavored berries that are ideal for a powerful yet finely etched red. Harvest is carried out entirely by hand, with meticulous bunch selection in the vineyard and again at the winery to ensure only the healthiest, perfectly ripe fruit makes the cut. Vinification is precise and artisanal: fermentation takes place in small vats to allow for gentle extraction and close monitoring of each lot, followed by 18 months of élevage in new French oak barriques. This long maturation in top-quality oak adds structure and complexity while preserving the vineyard’s distinctive character.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a gastronomic wine best paired with richly flavored dishes that can match its depth and structure. Think slow-roasted lamb shoulder, grilled ribeye, Iberico pork presa, or game dishes such as venison or wild boar stew. It also works beautifully with aged Manchego or other firm, mature cheeses, as well as mushroom-based dishes with truffle accents. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) in large Bordeaux-style glasses to fully express its aromatics. Decanting is strongly recommended, especially in the wine’s first 8–10 years; give it 1–2 hours in a decanter to soften the youthful tannins and allow the fruit, spice, and mineral notes to unfurl.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBenjamín Romeo is one of Rioja’s most acclaimed and influential winemakers, known for elevating the region’s reputation for boutique, terroir-driven wines. After years as head winemaker at the renowned Bodegas Artadi, he founded his own project, Bodega Contador, focusing on micro-parcels, extremely low yields, and meticulous, handcrafted production. His flagship wines gained international fame when successive vintages of Contador (2004 and 2005) received perfect 100-point scores from Robert Parker’s team, cementing his status as a modern icon of Rioja. Parcela La Liende, once bottled as La Viña de Andrés Romeo in honor of his father, has been at the heart of his vision for over four decades. Today, Benjamín Romeo is regarded as a master of site expression in Rioja Alta, with his limited-production wines eagerly sought by collectors worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Benjamin Romeo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251803115857,"sku":"GCW-CONT-18005","price":159.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/2018_Benjamn_Romeo_Coleccin_N_1_Parcela_La_Liende.png?v=1783441514","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2018-benjamin-romeo-coleccion-no-1-parcela-la-liende","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}