ABOUT: Essentially unchanged since it was founded in 1877, R. Lopez de Heredia in Haro, Spain is the oldest family run bodega in the area, and now the 4th generation is at the wheel. Sustainability is the way of life here; tremendous care is taken in the vineyard and scrutinizing water waste and energy consumption in the winery is paramount. Reds are made from Tempranillo, Garnacho, Graciano and Mazuelo, whites are made from Viura and Malvasia. Wines slowly ferment with native yeasts in huge tanks that are as old as the winery itself. The wines are then aged for long stints in custom made American oak barrels, released when they're ready. Tradition reigns supreme here and we're grateful for it.
TASTE: It’s unanimous, the wines of Lopez de Heredia are incredible. They’re steeped in tradition, willingly, not stuck in it. It seems crazy to me to find a wine of this quality at this price. Consider that this wine spent six years in an old American oak barrel, then another six years in bottle before it is released, and it doesn’t cost as much as an ordinary premium wine from California. Just the storage alone is staggering, and they make 25,000 cases a year! For its age this wine is cheery and refreshing. The cherry and raspberry fruit aromas and flavors are vibrant, the oak is there but not to its detriment, and the development of tertiary aromas and flavors are under way. Toast, licorice, potting soil, almonds, all that good stuff. The acid is citrus-like and zippy, tannins a medium and the finish be long. This is going to age well for another 20-30 years. PAIR: Sweet peppers, chili, Cabrales, Manchego grilled cheese, vegetable curry, cheesy Gougéres, and tostones with salsa.
