Lopez de Heredia Viña Cubillo Crianza 2012
- wa93
Category | Red Wine |
Varietals | |
Region | Spain, Rioja |
Brand | Lopez de Heredia |
Alcohol/vol | 13.5% |
For over 130 years, Lopez de Heredia has produced traditional, age-worthy, 100% estate bottled Rioja wines of Spain. Their wines are legendary and still made in a very traditional manner from their prized vineyards- Tondonia, Cubillo, Bosconia, and Zaconia - which are farmed organically. Their wines are also released later than most other Rioja wines, at least 5-10 years after harvest, providing added complexity and elegance to their Crianzas and Gran Reservas.
The Cubillo vineyard is 2 miles away from the winery at an altitude of 1,348 feet above sea level; the vines are an average age of 40 years of age. The soil is from the terciaria age, composed of clay and limestone. The surface is 24 hectares, and is planted to Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. Historically the wines from that vineyard were called "Special Harvest", but is now the source of their Viña Cubillo.
Wine Advocate
- wa93
I was quite impressed by the 2012 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza, a classical Rioja that is nicely crafted, with less aging in barrel than the rest of reds and therefore with more fruit character and less López de Heredia signature. This was born as a red for tapas, a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo with 13.5% alcohol. It matured in well-seasoned American oak barrels for three years. It has ripe fruit (black rather than red) without excess and a pinch of spices and a twist of oak. 94,500 bottles produced. There are seven lots of this. I tasted a bottled that was filled in May 2018.
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