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Vina Cubillo 2016 from Lopez de Heredia: “spectacular”

Vina Cubillo is the Rioja Crianza from Bodegas R. Lopez de Heredia. Fine, elegant and highly complex, it is made in the distinctive style for which the bodega is renowned. The latest release, 2016, is outstanding. Both the Wine Advocate and Vinous reckon it is the best vintage ever made, with Luis Gutierrez describing it as “spectacular”. At less than £20 per bottle inc VAT, we think this is a fantastic buy.

Vina Cubillo comes from a single vineyard located in Rioja Alta, like the more famous Tondonia and Bosconia. The Lopez de Heredia family rate the terroir here so highly that they believe they could make a gran reserva here if they wanted to. The vineyard is planted with Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, with the first two grapes predominating in the blend.

Like all the wines at Lopez de Heredia, Vina Cubillo is made in a traditional way. The bodega was established in 1877 and the family continues to run the winery in much the same way today. The wines are always fermented in old vats and are aged for long periods in barrels made at the family’s own cooperage. Vina Cubillo spends three years in barrel, with two rackings per year to enhance complexity. The 2016 comes from a vintage rated “very good” by the Consejo Regulador in Rioja. The vintage is one of ripe fruit, moderate alcohol and fine, elegant tannins.

This is a superb wine from one of Rioja’s most famous producers. It offers outstanding value for money. Buy some to drink now and some to cellar further.