2018 Lopez de Heredia - Tempranillo Rioja Cubillo Crianza (750ml)
2018 López de Heredia Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza, Rioja Alta (750ml)
From López de Heredia, one of Rioja’s most historic bodegas, this wine embodies a traditional winemaking philosophy—fermenting with native yeasts in upright wooden vats and aging in neutral American oak in deep cellars. The family-run cooperage repairs and prepares every barrel by hand, preserving a cellar-crafted approach that sets this house apart.
The Cubillo is the youngest wine in the López de Heredia stable, yet it spends two years in used American oak and a further two in bottle before release, a patient regimen that nudges it toward Gran Reserva complexity while remaining classified as Crianza.
The 2018 Viña Cubillo is pretty, fresh, and aromatic with floral notes, a reflection of a challenging year marked by ample rain and high humidity. It presents a deep cherry color with a garnet rim and awakens the senses with aromas of aged wood, ripe fruit, cocoa, and a hint of cigar.
On the palate, the wine is flavorful, spicy, and toasty, with lively tannins and a long, energetic finish. This is a textbook example of old-school Rioja that drinks beautifully now and will reward patience as it continues to evolve in bottle. An exceptional value for a wine with such pedigree.
Flavor profile highlights: deep cherry color, aromas of aged wood, cocoa, and cigar; palate offers spice, toast, and energetic tannins with a persistent finish.
Food pairings
- Grilled or roasted red meats (lamb, beef)
- Hearty stews and game dishes
- Aged cheeses and charcuterie
- Mushroom-forward dishes and tapas with smoky flavors