Bodegas Contador

Bodega Contador is a modern wine producer in Rioja, Spain. Its flagship wine, Contador, is one of Spain's most consistently high-priced wines, on par with Pingus and Vega Sicilia. Made predominantly from Tempranillo and aged in French oak, Contador is known for being full-bodied, fruit-driven and rich.

The bodegas was established in 1995 when Artadi winemaker Benjamin Romeo purchased a cave in Rioja, and began to buy vineyards in the area to make his wine. The first vintage of Contador, made in Romeo's parents' garage was released in 1999, and the 2004 and 2005 vintages went on to receive 100-point scores from Robert Parker, cementing the wine's in-demand status.

Now, there are 80 plots of older vines dotted around Rioja providing fruit for Contador wines. Grapes are sorted by hand in the winery, and after vinification in oak, are aged for 18-20 months in 100 percent new French oak. This makes for a wine with plenty of spice and vanilla characters, but Contador is best known for its fruit intensity.

Bodega Contador makes a range of other wines, both red and white, most of which come under the Rioja DOCa.