López de Heredia - Viña Gravonia Crianza Blanco 2018

For 145 years, four generations of the López de Heredia family have devoted themselves to producing exceptional and unique wines. Masterpieces which have achieved that which the founder of the company, Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, defined in the late nineteenth century as the "Supreme Rioja".

Vineyard care, a scrupulous selection of grapes, ageing in oak barrels in the heart of deep underground galleries, and the later ageing in bottles, all contribute to making these illustrious wines with their exceptional bouquet.

For a long time, the López de Heredia wines received different names depending on the style of the winemaking process, but today, just as the founder had envisioned in his earliest quest for perfection, "Tondonia" is famous throughout the world.

Special mention ought to be made of the white wines. If there is one bodega experienced in producing old white wines, it has to be López de Heredia. To talk of white wines being exclusively young and uncomplicated, would be asking for trouble. López de Heredia has never been averse to aging white wines in oak for as long as reds, and the result is much more surprising than might be expected. When this type of wine has spent a long time in contact with oak, the oaky tastes and aromas are overly noticeable and even unbalanced.  Nevertheless, when left for a few more years in bottles, the rough edges of oak become sufficiently polished and balanced to create a seductive bouquet of spice, bitter almonds, vanilla and walnut, trademarks of the majestic and opulent Viña Tondonia whites.

Viña Gravonia is the house entry level white wine but its quite complex and will surprise many. Color is slightly developed pale gold. Nose is developed, with aromas of third generation. A very fine and remarkable wine.

"Aromas of dried lemons, herbs, citrus oil, roasted almonds and a waxy touch. Medium-bodied with a texture that’s subtle, delicate and nuanced, showing understated fruit. Savory, with linear, integrated acidity. Pure viura from a 70-year-old vineyard in Haro. Drink now." - 95 Points, James Suckling 

"The white 2018 Viña Gravonia Blanco was harvested from the 24th of September, the first grapes the winery picked that challenging year. The vines are now 93 years old, on gravel soils with a limestone base. The wine matured in well-seasoned American oak barrels and vats for six years. It has a pale yellow color and a young nose but with the "Tondonia" cave aromas of mushroom, wax, diesel and balsam, with a core of dry flowers and pollen. The palate is vibrant and pungent, with purity, and there's a long, saline finish. It comes in at 12.5% alcohol, with a pH of 3.0 and seven grams of acidity. 50,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2024."  - 95 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Producer: López de Heredia

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Varietal: Viura

Appellation: Rioja 

Vintage: 2018

Size: 750ml