There are classic wineries, and then there's Lopez de Heredia in Rioja. This is one of the world's greatest wineries, full stop. I can't think of any producer more emblematic of the region they come from than Lopez. For lovers of old-school Rioja, or those who want to learn what makes Rioja great, Lopez stands head and shoulders above the rest. Rioja has seen wild change over the past few decades, with huge investment from around the globe and an influx of modern, oak-driven wines geared toward the international market. But in the cellars of Lopez de Heredia, tradition and history live on untouched.
Today, we're pleased to offer a selection of aged wines directly from the Lopez de Heredia cellars.
Nothing is rushed at Lopez. Even their Cubillo Crianza, the youngest of their wines, is aged for eight years, well beyond the required – and most common – aging period of a year and a half. This practice extends all the way up to their Gran Reserva, which are often aged for over 15 years before being released. A Lopez de Heredia red is Rioja at the height of its powers: earthy, herbaceous, soulful, and worthy of further aging. And their whites are given just as much attention and love. Made from 100% Viura and aged for four years in cask and a further five in bottle, they're some of the most singular white wines you'll ever come across. They're honeyed and waxy, but with great tension and a throughline of salinity. There's simply nothing else like them.
I recall once being at a seminar led by a winemaker from different Rioja estate in which he was mentioning the classic wineries of the region. Someone said "Lopez de Heredia," and the winemaker responded, "Ah, Lopez is more than classic. Lopez is Lopez." This perfectly encapsulates what makes Lopez de Heredia so special: their wines often feel like the last holdouts of Rioja's longest winemaking traditions.D. Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta founded his eponymous estate in 1877. Since then, little has changed. You won't find any gleaming new presses or optical sorters, only the same casks and barrels the wines have been aged in seemingly forever. Their vineyards – Cubillo, Bosconia, and their crown jewel, Tondonia – are all farmed organically. Fermentations proceed only with indigenous yeasts, and the only addition any wine sees is a touch of sulfur. Rioja is currently in a state of flux, as some producers push the appellation authorities to "modernize," and will probably change greatly over the next few years. But rest assured, no matter what happens, Lopez de Heredia will continue making amazing, singular wine, just as they always have.
To order, please click here. Shipping and curbside delivery are available, as always. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call us (607) 319-0500.
Extra discount of 10% off any mixed 6 and 15% off of any mixed 12 bottles!
1) Lopez de Heredia Rioja Blanco Crianza "Gravonia" 2011 750ml
Sale Price: $34.99/btl!! BUY NOW
11 Bottles Available
100% Viura from poor stony soils, aged for four years in American cask. Waxy, mineral-accented dried citrus and orchard fruit aromas show excellent clarity and a suave floral overtone. Chewy and sharply focused on the palate, offering concentrated Meyer lemon, pear skin, fennel and honey flavors underscored by a spicy ginger quality.
2) Lopez de Heredia Rioja Crianza "Vina Cubillo" 2011 750ml
Sale Price: $34.99/btl!! BUY NOW
65% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacha, the remainder Mazuelo and Graciano. From vines with an average age of 40 years resting in limestone and clay soils. Cubillo produces wines that while being only labeled as Crianzas (or young wines), truly have the depth, complexity and utmost quality to stand bottle to bottle with the Reservas and Gran Reservas. This offers qualities of fresh, ripe, dark fruit and licorice enveloped in a full bodied, smooth texture.
3) Lopez de Heredia Rioja Reserva "Vina Bosconia" 2008 750ml
Sale Price: $44.99/btl!! BUY NOW
80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and a touch of Mazuelo and Graciano. Compared to Tondonia, Bosconia often makes a bigger and slightly more structured wine. This wine matures in used American oak barrels for five years. Showing more tertiary aspects, this could easily be confused for a Gran Reserva. A bold, full bodied, yet elegant and aromatically compelling wine which pairs beautifully with heartier dishes.
4) Lopez de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva "Viña Tondonia" 2007 750ml
Sale Price: $54.99/btl!! BUY NOW
6 Bottles Available
Many say that the Tondonia whites are López de Heredia’s greatest achievements. Made from 85% Viura and aged for a minimum of six years in old barrels, this has a distinctive opulence and richness, bringing out notes of honey, butterscotch, hazelnut, often with a Graves-like character. But even after decades in bottle, this will maintain its freshness.
5) Lopez de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva "Viña Tondonia" 1995 750ml
Sale Price: $149.99/btl!! BUY NOW
6 Bottles Available
95pts, Wine Advocate: "The only current red Gran Reserva is the 1995 Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva, the one that is produced exactly the same as before, including fining with egg whites and sealing with red wax. 1995 was an excellent and early harvest, the grapes achieved full ripeness and were harvested under the sun during two weeks starting October 9. The wine, which exceptionally achieved 13% alcohol, is the usual blend, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo (Cariñena). Like all their wines, it fermented with indigenous yeasts in old oak vats and as a Gran Reserva it matured in old American oak barrels for ten years! Yes, it was bottled in November 2006 and launched in 2015, a full 20 years after the harvest. This light-colored, ethereal 1995 is the essence of Viña Tondonia. It has developed aromas and complexity gained with the time in bottle, of incense, leather, cured meat, cherries in liqueur, cold bonfire and spices. The palate is super-tasty, with fully-resolved tannins and very good acidity. The texture is super-fine, sophisticated and ethereal with gob-smacking balance. Intense, powerful and elegant, too. Hard to believe, but this red feels too young and while approachable, I'd wait a couple of years or more because it will be much better. The profile follows the style of the great classics of the 1950s and 60s. Bottles like this are the ones that created the López de Heredia myth. "
Extra discount of 10% off any mixed 6 and 15% off of any mixed 12 bottles!
To order, please click here. Shipping and curbside delivery are available, as always. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to respond to this email or call us (607) 319-0500. |
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