R. López de Heredia
Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura
La Rioja, Spain
It’s hard to find fully shed classic Viura (white Rioja) anymore but old-school Lopez de Heredia clings to tradition. This wine, nearly 10 years old on release, is fascinating - aged to the point of considerable oxidation yet it retains its fruit ands acidity. Bruised apple, ripe pear, golden raisin, orange peel, flint, wet stones, and hay happily coexist with hazelnut, dried orange peel, coconut, baking spices ands more. The medium acidity is a firm foundation to a richly textured wine, Long finish too!
It’s hard to find fully shed classic Viura (white Rioja) anymore but old-school Lopez de Heredia clings to tradition. This wine, nearly 10 years old on release, is fascinating - aged to the point of considerable oxidation yet it retains its fruit ands acidity. Bruised apple, ripe pear, golden raisin, orange peel, flint, wet stones, and hay happily coexist with hazelnut, dried orange peel, coconut, baking spices ands more. The medium acidity is a firm foundation to a richly textured wine, Long finish too!
Sep 20th, 2025
Vintage 2011 | stinky smell, high bitters, flint, tight and stiff. I like the character. Need to taste more Rioja whites to be able to recognize if tasted blind.
Vintage 2011 | stinky smell, high bitters, flint, tight and stiff. I like the character. Need to taste more Rioja whites to be able to recognize if tasted blind.
Feb 5th, 2025Vintage 2015 | vanilla, spicyness, oxidative, walnut, fresh, well balanced | with sardines, mussel, buckthorn berry | at Hofstede de Bkaak Tilburg
Vintage 2015 | vanilla, spicyness, oxidative, walnut, fresh, well balanced | with sardines, mussel, buckthorn berry | at Hofstede de Bkaak Tilburg
Aug 23rd, 2024
Popped and poured; enjoyed a single glass from a bottle that had been opened for over an hour. The 2015 “Gravonia” pours a deep straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with charming oxidative notes of black lemon, honeydew, tumeric, and nuts. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with a sort of waxy texture. Distinctive and delicious. Damn, I love these wines. Drink now through 2035.
Popped and poured; enjoyed a single glass from a bottle that had been opened for over an hour. The 2015 “Gravonia” pours a deep straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with charming oxidative notes of black lemon, honeydew, tumeric, and nuts. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with a sort of waxy texture. Distinctive and delicious. Damn, I love these wines. Drink now through 2035.
Jun 5th, 2024Vintage 2014 | paired with Vitello tonnato
Vintage 2014 | paired with Vitello tonnato
May 14th, 2024
Spanish wine night. Perfect eggplant pairing.
Spanish wine night. Perfect eggplant pairing.
May 12th, 2024Rioja tasting!! 6/21/23 Delicious.
Rioja tasting!! 6/21/23 Delicious.
Jul 1st, 2023The white wines from LdH are rarely boring and this example of the 2009 Gravonia is no exception. It’s always fun to see casual wine drinkers reactions. Most can’t tell if they love them or hate them. 100% Viura, this bottle poured a deep golden color. Notes of ripe melon, funky cheese, roasted nuts and damp basement on the nose. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with a somewhat waxy texture. Notes of melon, lemon, ginger gummies and nuts. Lovely acid. Finish is long. A wine with real character and substance. A wine that makes you think.
The white wines from LdH are rarely boring and this example of the 2009 Gravonia is no exception. It’s always fun to see casual wine drinkers reactions. Most can’t tell if they love them or hate them. 100% Viura, this bottle poured a deep golden color. Notes of ripe melon, funky cheese, roasted nuts and damp basement on the nose. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with a somewhat waxy texture. Notes of melon, lemon, ginger gummies and nuts. Lovely acid. Finish is long. A wine with real character and substance. A wine that makes you think.
Sep 18th, 2022
Light dinner, amazing wine
Light dinner, amazing wine
Jul 13th, 2022
Interesting white - love it the more it opened up
Interesting white - love it the more it opened up
Jun 13th, 2020