We’ve tasted – and adore – several different wines from the family-run Bodegas López de Heredia. We can now add this one to the list!
It’s a 2012 Rioja Crianza made from the Viura grape (100%) hailing from organically-farmed estate vineyards in the La Rioja region of Rioja DOCa, Spain.
The “Crianza” designation means this white wine spent at least 6 months aging on oak, however, this wine far exceeds the minimum as it was aged for 4 years in oak barrels before release.
It’s absolutely delicious! It has a deep golden hue with rich, well-developed notes of dried apricot, peach cobbler, beeswax, dill, vanilla, caramel, and butterscotch. It is dry, has medium alcohol, and has medium acidity to balance the confectionary aromas and flavors.
It is intensely fragrant and complex, making it an excellent solo sipper. It could also pair with savory, grilled or roasted fish or a flavorful stew like seafood paella.
Bodegas R. López de Heredia, Viña Gravonia, Rioja Crianza (2012), 12.5% ABV. — 16 days ago
with Chichi at Los Caracoles in Barcelona. Great Rioja with dried red fruits on palate; long finish; full bodied. Tertiary flavours like leather, tobacco and some smokiness develop after decanting for a while. Paired with grilled chicken; white tuna tomato salad; smoked sardine; fish soup for lunch. SO DAMN GOOD — 3 days ago
with Chichi at el Xiringo. Balanced full-bodied Rioja (which tasted so much better than the exact same one we had back in HK). Red fruits with some oakiness (and some leathery notes too?). Paired with white tuna salad, grilled octopus and seafood paella for dinner. — 3 days ago
DAY 1
Served with the Vinlog System
👃Pretty pinot cherry flavors + cloves
👅The fruit is more dark. Earthy + tar. Midpalate is slightly thin. Some tannins that need time for resolution
Remaining wine was Slow Decanted in my fridge
DAY 11
👅Tannins are less than Day 1 but still noticeable. Purple fruit, earth & tar. Finishes nicely with fruit and licorice
I enjoyed this both days. Elegant and pretty but needs time to express itself and soften the tannins a bit. But I like it now and I love it’s potential🍷
Follow "Vinlog.notes" on Instagram — 12 days ago
Ray Vanderhoff
Another great vintage of a wonderfully consistent Rioja. Made from fruit of vines that average 40 years old. Lots of aging in advance of this wine’s release. (And it’s considered a Crianza?) Aromas of blackberry, leather and dried rose petals. Blackberry and Black cherry on the pallet with a hint of orange peel. Hint of wood smoke on the finish. Dusty tannins and nicely balanced acidity. Solid QPR. — 4 days ago