2024 Chorus

Guillaume Thienpont, known for Vieux Château Certan in Pomerol, collaborates with Viñedos del Contino on Chorus 2024. It is a wine where two worlds come together. Not to copy each other, but to reinforce one another. The precision and refinement from Bordeaux are applied here to Tempranillo from Rioja Alavesa, resulting in a style that immediately stands out for its calm, balance, and detail.

Chorus 2024: a new interpretation of Rioja

Chorus 2024 is not a classic Rioja. It is a project in which a different approach was deliberately chosen. Less focus on power and extraction, more attention to texture, tension, and refinement.

The name Chorus was not chosen by accident. The word comes from the Latin chorus and the Greek khorós , and refers to a group of voices singing together in harmony. That fits this wine perfectly. Different plots, soils, and influences come together in a single whole. Rioja and Pomerol each retain their own character, but together form a wine with balance and cohesion.

The idea arose from the desire to approach the terroir of Contino in a different way. Not by changing it, but by looking at it from a different perspective. That makes this wine different. It remains Rioja, but feels more modern and precise.

Vineyard and origin: San Rafael as the base

The grapes come from three selected plots within the San Rafael estate in Rioja Alavesa. This estate is situated along the Ebro and boasts a wide variety of soils.

Viña del Olivo provides elegance and fine tannins. San Gregorio Encina brings tension and minerality. Don Vicente gives power and structure.

This combination results in a wine with layers. Each plot is harvested and processed separately so that the characteristics are optimally preserved.

Harvest, vinification and aging

2024 was a balanced year, without extreme peaks. This is reflected in the wine. The ripening of the grapes proceeded evenly, allowing for precision work.

The harvest is carried out entirely by hand and by plot. Only grapes are picked at the right moment. This is followed by very precise vinification, in which each component is treated separately.

Fermentation takes place in wooden vats with natural yeasts. During this process, continuous tasting is performed to guide the extraction. The wine subsequently ages for 12 months in French oak barrels, with an emphasis on structure and refinement.

Style and flavor profile of Chorus 2024

Chorus 2024 revolves around balance and texture. The aroma features dark fruit such as blackberries and plums, complemented by floral notes and subtle spices.

On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, but never heavy. The tannins are fine and polished. The fruit remains crisp and clear, with a fresh undertone that keeps the wine lively.

What stands out is the calmness in the wine. Everything feels controlled and precise. The finish is long and refined, with a subtle tension that lingers.

Limited production and unique character

Chorus 2024 was produced in a limited edition. It is not a standard cuvée, but a project in which selection and precision take center stage.

It shows what is possible when you work with focus and dare to make choices in both vineyard and cellar.

Summary

Chorus 2024 is a modern Rioja with a clear focus on finesse and structure. Made by Contino and Guillaume Thienpont, with grapes from three plots. A wine that combines depth and elegance and shows Rioja from a different angle.