R. Lopez de Heredia "Viña Cubillo" Rioja, Spain 2016

65% Tempranillo, 25% Garnacho, 10% Graciano and Mazuelo

There are few wineries in Spain, or in the world, whose name conjures the heritage and prestige evoked by R. López de Heredia. Little about this winery has changed in the 142 years since its founding by Don Rafael López de Heredia. The family adheres to a winemaking doctrine blueprinted in the 1880s: to make wine only from their own vineyards.

The Viña Cubillo is a deep dark ruby color, with a terrific nose of leather, black cherry, dried raspberries and spice. The palate is full and complex, with well balanced, firm tannins and red/black fruits with earthy undertones.

The Viña Cubillo wine comes from the vineyard “Cubillas" which is at high altitude (over 1,000ft) with on average 40 year old vines. The soil is clay and limestone. After selection and fermentation, the wine is aged for 3 years in 225L American oak barrels handmade by the López de Heredia coopers. It then spends at least 3 more years in bottle before release.

When it comes to the winemaking process, the work in the vineyard has not changed since the 1880’s. R. López de Heredia is a “traditionalist” through and through — keeping the traditions alive maintains not only the quality but the personality of the house. Working by hand with some of the best terroir, respecting the soil, and working with nature on its needs is something R. López de Heredia is very proud of.

It is the winery's belief that aging wines should be seen as a pedagogic act: the wine is “educated" and should never be rushed through sped-up improvisations which would destroy the biological process that give it its special character. Wines need to spend a minimum of three years in barrels to begin to manifest their developed soul.