Lopez de Heredia : Vina Cubillo Crianza 2017

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Viña Cubillo Crianza 2017 from López de Heredia

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a bright, light ruby hue with garnet reflections at the rim, reflecting the wine's evolution after three years of barrel aging.

Nose
The nose reveals an aromatic complexity marked by earthy notes of mushroom, undergrowth and truffle. Licorice aromas emerge, accompanied by spicy hints of black pepper and cinnamon. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward tertiary notes of leather, tobacco and dried flowers.

Palate
On the palate, the wine captivates with its freshness and elegance. The attack is lively, followed by a silky texture with refined, well-integrated tannins. The palate unveils flavors of ripe dark fruits, plum and black cherry, enhanced by notes of tobacco, leather and a growing minerality. The finish stands out for its remarkable length and pleasant persistence.

Food and wine pairings
This wine pairs perfectly with traditional dishes such as legume stews, small game like rabbit or partridge, and braised meats in sauce. It also elegantly accompanies mushroom preparations, aged sheep's milk cheeses, as well as slow-cooked dishes like oxtail or pork cheeks.

Serving and storage
The Viña Cubillo Crianza 2017 can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve until around 2035. It is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for one hour allows its aromatic complexity to fully express itself.

A Rioja Alta Crianza true to the López de Heredia tradition

The estate
Founded in 1877 by Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta in Haro, the capital of Rioja Alta, the bodega remains one of the three oldest in the region. Now led by the fourth family generation, with María José López de Heredia as managing director, Mercedes López de Heredia as technical director and Julio César López de Heredia overseeing viticulture, the estate cultivates 170 hectares of vines spread across four properties. López de Heredia stands out for its commitment to traditional methods and its status as an independent family-owned bodega, producing exceptional wines using artisanal techniques preserved for nearly 150 years.

The vineyard
The Viña Cubillo vineyard extends approximately four kilometers from Haro, at an altitude of 465 meters. The vines, averaging 40 years of age, are planted on clay-limestone soils of tertiary origin. This terroir benefits from an Atlantic influence that moderates temperatures and promotes significant diurnal temperature variations during ripening, allowing the grapes to develop fine acidity and optimal phenolic maturity — essential characteristics of great Rioja Alta wines.

The vintage
The 2017 vintage was marked by exceptional climatic conditions. In April, a severe frost destroyed the entire vegetation of the Cubillo vineyard. The vines then produced a second generation of grapes that ripened over a shorter cycle and were harvested earlier. This unique situation concentrated the aromas and yielded grapes with ideal phenolic maturity, giving the wine remarkable freshness and more pronounced tertiary notes.

Winemaking and aging
The Viña Cubillo Crianza 2017 grapes are harvested by hand, transported in traditional poplar wood baskets. Fermentation takes place in century-old oak vats with indigenous yeasts and no temperature control. The wine is then aged for approximately three years in American oak barrels of varying ages, crafted in the estate's own cooperage. Two manual rackings are carried out each year. Fining is done the traditional way, using fresh egg whites, and the wine is bottled without mechanical filtration, thus preserving all of its aromatic complexity.

Grape varieties
Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo