Viña Gravonia Blanco Crianza

Old-school Rioja blanco from R. López de Heredia y Landeta, founded 1877 in Haro by Don Rafael López de Heredia - a Chilean-born wine merchant who set up shop to supply phylloxera-hit France. One of the first three bodegas in Rioja and the oldest in Haro's Barrio de la Estación. Run today by the fourth generation: María José (managing director), Mercedes (winemaker), and Julio César.

Viña Gravonia is the entry-tier white, sourced from the estate's Viña Zaconia - a 24 ha vineyard near Haro planted entirely to Viura. South-facing, poor stony/gravelly soils. 100% Viura.

Ageing is the story: ~4 years in old American oak barrels (twice-yearly racking), followed by ~4 years in bottle. ~8 years from harvest to release - vastly more than the Rioja DOCa Crianza minimum for whites (2 years total, 6 months oak). The on-site cooperage, the black-mould-cloaked underground cellars, the cobwebs maintained for natural insect control - everything here is unhurried.

Style is unmistakable: pale gold, oxidative-leaning, beeswax and roasted nuts, dried citrus peel, saffron, salinity. 2016 was an excellent Rioja vintage - balance and freshness the recurring pair, classic styling with cut and minerality.