The 2016 Contino Rioja Vina del Olivo is a Tempranillo from the Rioja Alavesa sub-region in Spain. This red wine, produced by Contino, has garnered significant praise from professional reviewers for its balance, power, and elegance. It has an alcohol content of 14.0% and is sealed with a cork closure.

Wine Spectator awarded this wine a score of 93, noting its harmonious blend of "power and refinement." The review highlighted flavors of black cherry and red currant, complemented by notes of cocoa, tobacco, and licorice. The wine is described as having "fine-grained tannins and juicy acidity" that provide "energy and focus," making it "detailed and graceful." Wine Spectator suggests that this wine is ready to drink now but will continue to develop through 2028.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave an even higher score of 95, praising the 2016 Viña del Olivo as one of the finest recent vintages. The review by Luis Gutiérrez describes the wine as "powerful and elegant," with "great balance and a lively palate." He mentioned its "focused flavors, great purity and integrated oak," and emphasized its potential for long-term aging, calling it "tasty, long, very pure and salty rather than sweet."

Vinous rated the wine at 94, noting its deep, powerful aromas of "ripe dark berries, cherry liqueur, potpourri, and incense," along with oak spice, vanilla, and woodsmoke nuances. According to Josh Raynolds, the wine is "sweet and palate-coating," with vibrant flavors of black raspberry and cherry-vanilla, balanced by a core of juicy acidity. The finish is described as "sweet and impressively long," with youthful tannins providing "solid grip to the sappy, lingering fruit."

James Suckling gave an exceptional score of 98, calling the wine "sleek and racy with a polish and beauty that is incredible." He highlighted its "ultra-fine tannins" and "gorgeous depth of fruit," recommending that it be enjoyed starting in 2022.

Decanter awarded a score of 96, describing the wine as "bold, structured, and intense." The review noted aromas of thyme and incense, with a "dark berry palate" that is "powerful yet well balanced." This wine is a blend of Tempranillo with 10% Graciano, sourced from vines surrounding an old olive tree at the Contino estate.

Overall, the 2016 Contino Rioja Vina del Olivo is a highly acclaimed wine, praised for its balance, depth, and potential for aging.