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Red dry
López de Heredia Viña Cubillo Crianza Rioja 2018 is an elegant and vibrant red wine in the classic Rioja style. It is produced from the Viña Cubillo vineyard, located approximately 4 km from the winery. The soil of this 24-hectare vineyard is clay-limestone, and the vines have an average age of about 40 years. The producer emphasizes that although Viña Cubillo is marketed as a Crianza, the quality of the vineyard would actually allow the wines to be classified as Gran Reserva.
This is an elegant, fresh, and subtly mature Rioja that retains plenty of lively fruitiness. The aroma reveals wild strawberries and cherries, sweet spices, dried herbs, liquorice, tobacco leaves, and earthy nuances. Aging imparts notes of cedar and vanilla.
The wine is fresh and elegant, featuring very fine tannins and vibrant acidity. Red fruit characteristics are complemented by notes of spice, herbs, and tobacco, while the finish is long, savory, and fresh. Despite the extended aging, the 2018 vintage retains a sense of youthfulness and energy.
Production and aging: herein lies one of the most interesting aspects of Viña Cubillo—although labeled as a Crianza, it spends a full three years (36 months) in barrels. López de Heredia uses 225-liter American oak barrels for the aging process. Over a period of three years, the wine is racked twice annually; it is subsequently fined with fresh egg whites and bottled unfiltered. It then continues to mature in the bottle until its release to the market.
Recommended serving temperature: 18–20°C. Food pairing: highly versatile – pairs well with tapas, cured meats, legume dishes, and various meat dishes.
The red 2018 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza is pretty and attractive, fresh and aromatic, floral, the result of a challenging year with lots of rain and high humidity. This is usually the last vineyard to be harvested, and the grapes were picked late, the 26th of October. It's a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo that matured in a combination of oak vats and well-seasoned American oak barrels for six years. It's elegant and clean, young and undeveloped, with very fine tannins and a sleek, polished mouthfeel. It has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.0 and 6.5 grams of acidity. This could be the finest Cubillo in recent times, and it's a bargain. 120,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2024.
López de Heredia – one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Spain, founded in 1880 by Don Rafael López de Heredia. For more than 140 years, this family estate has become a true symbol of Rioja, renowned for its unwavering commitment to traditional winemaking. Unlike many others, the estate has always worked exclusively with its own vineyards, ensuring full quality control and authentic terroir expression.
Wine Style
López de Heredia wines are celebrated for their depth, complexity, and remarkable longevity.
These wines stand as proof that a truly traditional style can remain timeless and relevant today.
Authentic Winemaking Methods
The estate follows methods established in the 19th century. Fermentation takes place in 72 large oak vats, some of which have been in use since the winery’s founding. Wines are then aged for extended periods in handmade American oak barrels, providing finesse, depth, and distinctive structure. All barrels are crafted in the winery’s own cooperage, preserving independence and authenticity.
Prestigious Vineyards
López de Heredia owns 170 hectares of vineyards in Rioja Alta. Among them, the renowned Viña Tondonia (founded in 1913) is considered one of the most iconic sites in all of Rioja. Other notable vineyards include Viña Bosconia, Viña Cubillo, and Viña Gravonia, each contributing unique character and enhancing the winery’s reputation for excellence.
Aging and Drinking Window
One of the hallmarks of López de Heredia is its extraordinary aging process. Wines are kept in oak barrels far longer than usual – often 6 to 10 years – and once bottled, they may continue to mature in the cellars for several more decades. While approachable in their youth, these wines reveal their true greatness with age – a timeless expression of Rioja that never goes out of style.
