2017 R. Lopez de Heredia, Vina Cubillo Crianza, Rioja

R. López de Heredia produces the Viña Cubillo Crianza through a resolute commitment to traditionalism, employing spontaneous fermentation in 140-year-old wooden vats followed by three years of oxidative maturation in seasoned American oak. The fruit is sourced from the La Cubilla vineyard in Rioja Alta, where the clay-limestone soils and continental influence yield a structural profile defined by higher natural acidity and finer tannin resolution than many of its regional contemporaries. The 2017 vintage, shaped by a significant late-April frost and a dry ripening period, resulted in lower yields that imparted a distinct phenolic concentration and increased mid-palate weight. This inherent density is framed by the estate’s signature lean architecture and a persistent mineral nerve, ensuring the wine retains its characteristic tension and structural precision despite the warmth of the growing season.