R. López de Heredia Viña Gravonia Blanco Crianza 2014
- Region
- Spain » Rioja DOC
- Type
- white still, dry
- Producer
- Vintage
- 2014
- Grapes
- Viura
- Alcohol
- 12.5
- Sugar
- 2.5
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Cellar
- not available
- Find at
Viña Gravonia is 100% Viura from 24 ha plots at 340 meters above sea level in the Gravonia vineyard near the banks of the river Ebro. Historically these wines were called Viña Zaconia. The average age of vines is 45 years. The whole plot is planted only with Viura grapes.
Viña Gravonia Crianza 2014 spent four years (or maybe even more because of late bottling) in barrels. In total, 25,000 bottles were produced. Prior to release, it spent four to five years in a bottle.
Ratings
Viña Gravonia exemplifies approachability and ease of enjoyment. With some additional bottle age, it gains a touch more oxidation, yet continues to charm with its fruit and moderate oak influence. The nose reveals salted nuts, yellow fruits, bruised apples, honey, and a hint of beeswax. On the palate, it is multilayered and sophisticated, with a deliciously good acidity and neat oak integration. The finish is long and lingering, featuring lemon curd, bruised apples, and honey. It's in great shape and a testament to its enduring appeal.
This wine exudes intriguing aromas of wax, damp cellar, raw washed potato (a nod to Dmytro for this descriptor), kurkuma, and wet wood. On the palate, it's insanely fresh yet spicy, with the wet wood note persisting. It's a bit more developed than the '15, as expected. Hints of fried nuts add to its allure. Overall, it's a great wine, and I'm delighted to have another bottle in my cellar, offering the prospect of revisiting this delightful experience.
Delicious as ever. A beautiful oxidative style. A sophisticated bouquet of mushrooms, nuts, Jerez, honey, lemon and vanilla. Almost perfectly balanced, fresh and delicious. The aftertaste is long and flavourful - a mix of citrus and nuts.
I tasted it blind. At first, it revealed benzene, shells, lemon and quince. My first thought was some older Chenin Blanc, maybe from Jacky Blot. But then I realised that there was an obvious prolonged oak influence, both in the nose and the taste, so I guessed the wine. So I have to thank this mix of toast, almond and vanilla, as well as high acidity with well-integrated tannin (hehe). Overall, complex, multilayered, evolving and delicious wine.
About Producer
We are in Haro, the mythical capital of the Rioja Alta region. Its ascension to a prestigious winemaking region was ignited by phylloxera. A curious insect, brought by accident from North America to Europe, devasted vineyards across the continent. The Great French Wine Blight drove many winemakers to alternative regions. The French settled in Rioja because they found potential there.
Rioja, like many other regions, has seen its ups and downs, reflecting Spain's history. Though, having potential is not enough. The wine doesn't make itself. Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta was an enthusiastic student when French negociants visited Rioja in search of alternative grape sources. He followed their footsteps and fell in love with Haro as he saw potential in the combination of soil and climate. Around 1877 he began the design and construction of the complex, known today as the López de Heredia bodega, the oldest in Haro and one of the first three houses in the Rioja region.
López de Heredia is famous for being true to their heritage and house style. Unprecedented old-school wine, a time machine trapped in a bottle. Today, María José López de Heredia runs the bodega. She says "tradition" doesn't mean immobility or opposition to change. The world and nature follow their own rhythm. So they need to be flexible while maintaining eternal principles and criteria.
López de Heredia produces wines in four ranges - Viña Tondonia, Viña Bosconia, Viña Cubillo and Viña Gravonia. All are named after vineyards.
Viña Cubillo has only one wine - a red Crianza. The three years that Cubillo spends in cask, plus four to five years in bottle before release, exceeds the legal levels for even Gran Reserva.
Viña Gravonia also consists of only one wine - a white Crianza. It is 100% Viura from 24 ha in the Gravonia (Zaconia) vineyard near the banks of the river Ebro. This vineyard ticks every conceivable box to produce white grapes which achieve ripeness and intricate character. It is further enhanced by four years in a cask and at least the same again resting in a bottle before release.
Viña Bosconia has two variants - Reserva and Gran Reserva. The former appears in a Burgundy bottle. It could be a hint of the elegant yet full-bodied wine within. The Gran Reserva is made only in exceptional years and is released only 20 years after the vintage.
Viña Tondonia is the most famous and largest set of vineyards of López de Heredia. It's made up of 100 ha of red and white grapes. Five wines are produced: Tinto Reserva, Tinto Gran Reserva, Blanco Reserva, Blanco Gran Reserva and Rosado Gran Reserva.