Vina Cubillo Rioja Crianza – 2016 Bodega Lopez de Heredia

This Rioja Crianza comes from one of Lopez de Heredia’s three single vineyards just outside Haro. It was aged for three years in barrel and five years in bottle pre-release, making it older than the majority of Gran Reserva Riojas you will find on the market!

“The 2016 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza was surprising, spectacular, elegant, clean and fresh like few vintages before. It was a superb year, with quality, quantity and freshness. It’s quite the opposite from the previous 2015, which was a much warmer and riper year. The 2016s have moderate alcohol and especially the perception of less ripeness (even though the alcohol is very similar). It feels very young, still quite primary. Mercedes explained, “Cubillas, a 24-hectare plot, is a vineyard that could produce Gran Reserva wines. It’s a very good vineyard, but we would miss the Crianza in our range”. In fact, the comment was that this vintage is even a challenge for the Viña Tondonia red “because of its price.” It is indeed a bargain. “But it doesn’t have the finesse of Tondonia,” concluded María José. Anyway, it’s super tasty.” 94pts Wine Advocate