This white Rioja is really very impressive. Although Viña Gravonia is the most modest white wine produced by Lopez de Heredia, there is real complexity here. Aged for four years in American oak barrels, with a long maturation in the bottle until now, on the nose there is fresh, citrus aromas, with ripe pear fruit and almond, with a saline quality that brings interest. The salty, nutty character cries out for a big plate of cured meats, cheese and warm salted almonds!
“The nose of the 2017 Viña Gravonia Blanco is unmistakably López de Heredia, with those mushroom, white pepper and pollen aromas that remind you so much of the smell in their ancient caves. 2017 was the year of the big frost in April and the scarcity of rain that made it the earliest, scarcest and quickest harvest they have experienced in their recent history. The grapes for this wine were the first grapes picked, the 14th of September, from vines aged 93 years. It fermented in even older oak vats with indigenous yeasts (“We have never added yeasts to our wines,” they answer when asked) and matured in used American oak barrels for four years (possibly more looking at the bottling date). Of course, this could qualify as a Gran Reserva, but they keep it at Crianza (to have a range), and it’s sold at a bargain price for its quality and age. It’s characterful and nuanced, with some hints of development (diesel) and a lightish palate with pungent flavors and great harmony. It has the usual parameters: 12.5% alcohol, a pH of three and seven grams of acidity. 20,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in September 2023.” 94+pts Luis Gutiérrez The Wine Advocate
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