Lopez de Heredia 2017 Vina Cubillo, Rioja,Spain

Along with La Rioja Alta, Lopez de Heredia is the greatest source of age-worthy traditional Rioja. Viña Cubillo is comprised mainly of 40+ year old Tempranillo with a little Garnacha, and a touch each of Mazuelo and Graciano. Even though it is released as a Crianza, it meets the requirements of a Reserva and almost Gran Reserva. This red is highly aromatic with notes of baking spices, leather, orange peel and dried cherries. Super delicious now, it will age beautifully for many years. 

“The super bargain of the portfolio has to be the red 2017 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza, which this year shows more development and faster aging, with more tertiary notes than the other reds from 2013 and 2014 that I tasted next to it. It has notes of damp earth, mushrooms, truffles and forest floor, dry leaves and decayed flowers and herbs. It has a polished palate and is medium-bodied, with mostly resolved tannins, and it feels a little lighter. But it's still worth it. It was produced with a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo from vines averaging 53 years of age.” - 93 Wine Advocate & 92 Vinous