2020 Benjamin Romeo Alma Contador

2020 Benjamin Romeo Alma Contador is the exciting new release from one of Rioja’s most acclaimed winemakers, crafted to sit alongside the region’s finest modern classics. Distributed via the prestigious Place de Bordeaux network, it stands shoulder to shoulder with top Grand Cru-level wines in terms of ambition and quality. Named after Benjamin Romeo’s young daughter, Alma (meaning “soul” in Spanish), this cuvée captures the essence of his best vineyards across different altitudes in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Rioja’s historic heartland.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Alma Contador 2020 shows a deep, vibrant ruby-purple hue, signaling both concentration and youth. The nose is perfumed and expressive, with a lifted bouquet of red and black cherries, wild strawberries and ripe plum, wrapped in notes of violets, rose petals and sweet spices. Layers of aromatic Mediterranean herbs, a hint of balsamic, cocoa shavings and finely integrated new oak add complexity and dimension. On the palate, the wine is powerful yet remarkably refined, with a silky texture and very fine-grained tannins. Tempranillo delivers depth, dark fruit and structure, while the Garnacha Tinta adds freshness, lift and a supple, gourmand character. Flavors of blackberries, sloe, redcurrant and damson are laced with graphite-like minerality from the higher sites, plus subtle vanilla, clove and toast from the French oak. The finish is long, precise and fresh, with a balanced acidity that suggests excellent aging potential. Enjoyable now with a decant, it will evolve gracefully over 10–15 years or more, gaining tertiary notes of leather, cigar box and truffle.

Production
Alma Contador 2020 is sourced from three distinct parcels—La Viña de Andrés, El Bombón and Diasol—planted at high, mid and lower altitudes in San Vicente de la Sonsierra. This mosaic of terroirs brings together intensity and structure from the higher, cooler vineyards, mineral tension from the mid-slope plots, and a richer, more hedonistic fruit profile from the lower sites. The blend is based on Tempranillo with a proportion of Garnacha Tinta to enhance freshness and elegance. Grapes are harvested by hand to ensure meticulous selection in the vineyard and at the winery. Vinification is precise and modern, with careful extraction to preserve fruit purity and aromatic detail, followed by 20 months of aging in new French oak barrels sourced from six different coopers. This tailored barrel regime allows Benjamin Romeo to fine-tune the texture, spice and integration of oak, resulting in a wine that is both luxurious and finely balanced.

Food & Serving
This wine’s combination of power, fragrance and finesse makes it an excellent partner for refined, flavorful dishes. Think roasted lamb with herbs, slow-braised beef cheeks, ibérico pork, venison or duck breast with berry reduction, as well as rich stews, mushroom-based dishes and mature hard cheeses such as Manchego or aged Comté. It also pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables, truffle-infused dishes and dishes featuring rosemary, thyme and other aromatic herbs. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) for optimal expression. Decant for 1–2 hours in its youth to open up the floral and balsamic notes and to soften the tannins; older bottles will need a shorter decant, mainly to remove potential sediment.

Producer
Benjamin Romeo is one of Spain’s most celebrated contemporary winemakers, having risen to international fame with his cult Rioja estate, Contador. Based in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, he played a key role in redefining Rioja as a source of world-class, terroir-driven wines, moving beyond traditional large-scale production to a more artisanal, vineyard-focused approach. His wines have consistently attracted high critical acclaim, including the extremely rare 100-point scores from Robert Parker for Contador 2004 and 2005—milestone achievements that cemented his status as a modern icon of Rioja. With Alma Contador, distributed via the elite Place de Bordeaux, Benjamin Romeo continues to push the boundaries of quality and expression in the region, marrying classical Rioja elegance with a contemporary sense of precision and detail.

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