Lopez de Heredia : Vina Cubillo Crianza 2018

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Vina Cubillo Crianza 2018 by Lopez de Heredia

Tasting

Appearance
Clear and bright, revealing a beautiful ruby hue.

Nose
Remarkably fresh, the aromatic bouquet proves persistent and consistent, marked by subtle notes of liquorice.

Palate
The palate offers a smooth texture and a pleasant freshness, extending into a long finish.

Food and wine pairings
This red wine pairs beautifully with meat-based dishes, charcuterie platters or an assortment of tapas.

Serving and cellaring
The Vina Cubillo Crianza 2018 is ready to be enjoyed now, but it also has the capacity to age for a few more years in the cellar, provided it is kept at a constant temperature and humidity. For an optimal tasting experience, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 18 and 20°C.

A generous Rioja red wine of beautiful complexity

The estate
Founded in 1877 by Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta in Haro, in the heart of La Rioja, the bodega López de Heredia is a historic estate spanning approximately 170 hectares. Today, the fourth generation, represented by sisters María José and Mercedes López de Heredia, is at the helm of the property. Proud of its family independence, this emblematic brand stands out for its commitment to traditional methods, rejecting contemporary trends in favour of extremely long ageing periods and the exclusive use of indigenous grape varieties.

The vineyard
The grapes come exclusively from the estate's own lands, more specifically from the Viña Cubillo vineyard, located in the sub-region of Rioja Alta. This terroir thrives on hillsides with an altitude ranging between 455 and 485 metres. The vines, averaging forty to fifty years old, benefit from an Atlantic-influenced climate that promotes slow ripening and preserves lovely freshness.

The vintage
The growing season was particularly demanding due to heavy rainfall, spring frosts, hail and strong mildew pressure. Nevertheless, careful vineyard management combined with more favourable weather in August made it possible to control diseases and preserve the quality of the berries. The harvest, which took place on 24 September for the white varieties and from 4 to 26 October for the reds, ultimately proved to be good and abundant.

Winemaking and ageing
The production of Vina Cubillo Crianza 2018 relies on artisanal methods. The wine is aged for three years in American oak barrels, handcrafted by the estate's own cooperage. During this period, it is racked twice a year. Clarification is carried out in the traditional way with fresh egg whites, and bottling is performed without any prior filtration in order to preserve all of the texture and substance.

Grape varieties
This wine is made from a blend composed of 65% Tempranillo and 25% Garnacha, complemented by a small proportion of Mazuelo and Graciano.