Lopez de Heredia Vina Gravonia Crianza Blanco 2017

CRITICAL ACCLAIM:

"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." - 94 PTS, LUIS GUTIERREZ, WINE ADVOCATE

“An elegant, scented nose, showing macadamia nuts, light yellow apples and a touch of seaweed. Elegant and fluid on the palate with bright acidity and a long, lightly saline finish. 100% viura.” - 93 PTS, JAMES SUCKLING

“The 2017 Viña Gravonia is 100% Viura from Haro in Rioja. This aged for four years in old American oak foudres followed by four years in bottle. Due to the severe frost of 2017, it was made mostly from second-flowering fruit. Medium yellow in hue, it delivers notes of resin, gentle oak and hints of herbs and fennel. Saline and medium-bodied on the tongue before a finish of hay and dried orange peel, this is a unique white with a savory, lightly oxidative profile.” - 92 PTS, ANTONIO GALLONI, VINOUS MEDIA

WINERY NOTES:
TASTING: “COLOUR - Slightly developed pale gold. NOSE - Fresh and aromatic. Complex and developed. Bouquet with aromas of third generation. TASTE - Fruity, complex, developed, very fine.”
GRAPE VARIETIES: “Viura (100%), from our own vineyards.”
AGEING PERIOD IN BARRELS - “4 years, being racked twice a year and fined with fresh egg whites.”
AGEING PERIOD IN BOTTLE - “Rest, unfiltered, bottled in 75 cl. bottles.”
GASTRONOMY - “Perfect with all kind of fish; fried, grilled or boiled. Grilled seafood. Well-seasoned white meat. Very nice with pasta too”