2016 Lopez de Heredia Vina Gravonia Blanco

2016 was a superb vintage in Rioja, and the 2016 Vina Gravonia Blanco, which has the cellar aroma that all the wines, especially the whites, have, due to the longer time the wines spend in barrel. The white vines in this vineyard are now 92 years old and their juice was fermented in old oak vats with indigenous yeasts. They explained, `We have never used selected yeasts.` It was matured in their well-seasoned American oak barrels for four years. It`s paler than any of the other whites, and it has a little less pungency, with very good freshness. It`s elegant, subtle, clean and ethereal. They had good yields and a good climatic year. 42,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2022. I give these wines a conservative drinking window, but they will probably last much longer. 95 points

Whites from Lopez de Heredia are legendary, and Vina Gravonia rightfully earns its place in the pantheon. The 2016 Blanco Crianza Vina Gravonia, 100% Viura sourced from the Gravonia vineyard in Rioja Alta, underwent four years of aging in old foudres followed by an additional four years in bottle. This yellow wine with a subtle golden sheen features aromas of peach and fennel, accompanied by a floral tea note and a delicate layer of oak. Dry and refreshing, it possesses a bold texture. This flavorful white lingers on the palate with a hazelnut tone. 93 points