R. López de Heredia Viña Cubillo Crianza 2014
- Region
- Spain » Rioja DOC
- Type
- red still, dry
- Producer
- Vintage
- 2014
- Grapes
- Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano
- Alcohol
- 13.5
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Cellar
- not available
- Find at
Viña Cubillo is a blend of Tempranillo-based blend from the vineyard called Viña Cubillas. Historically these wines were called "Special Harvest". Located at 410 meters above sea level, the vineyard covers 24 hectares: 16 ha are under Tempranillo, 4 ha Garnacha, 2 ha Mazuelo and 2 ha Graciano. The average age of vines is 40 years.
Viña Cubillo Crianza 2014 spent three years in well-seasoned, neutral American oak barrels. In total, 150,000 bottles were produced. Prior to release, it spent four to five years in a bottle.
Ratings
Just a single year of extra ageing has made an impressive difference. This sophisticated and charming Crianza stands out with its clean and delicate profile, easily surpassing many pricier, more pretentious labels. On the nose and palate, you'll find rich notes of cherry, spices, oak, blood, and a touch of withered flowers. It's fresh, juicy, and nearly perfectly balanced, boasting great structure and persistence. It's truly a shame this was the last bottle in my stash. Exceptional QPR.
Let me repeat myself. Viña Cubillo has an incredible value. Finding a wine of these qualities in this price range is nearly impossible. At least in the Ukranian market.
Compared to Viña Bosconia Reserva 2011 (which we tasted in parallel), Viña Cubillo is obviously more rustic. And it has a less complex bouquet of sour cherry, oak, tobacco, leather, and spices. Food-friendly palate with grippy tannin accompanied by good acidity. Old school and relatively demanding style.
I can't stop drinking this wine. In my opinion (and according to my taste preferences), Cubillo Crianza is among the best Rioja wines available on the UA market for this price. Old-school style, well-integrated oak, and a combination of secondary and tertiary aromas. It all makes this wine a pleasure to drink.
Cubillo is a good traditional Rioja, a bargain, I would say. Yet I do not share the excitement around this wine. It has a beautiful bouquet of sour cherry, vanilla, tobacco, fresh leather, and spices. Not a simple one. While it shines in the aroma, it lacks in the taste. Medium body, well-integrated tannin, but the deficient volume makes acidity not so pleasant. Maybe it's just too young. So there is potential. Anyway, I am not excited, but this wine is something the market should provide more.
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.