Tag Archives: rioja

Tempranillo, Viña Cubillo, Crianza, Lopez de Heredia, Rioja Alta, Spain, 2012, 13.5 abv., US$40

Posted on February 23, 2023 by winellama

Classic, classic, classic – it doesn’t get much better than this developed, yet still bright, mostly Tempranillo wine from benchmark Rioja winery, Lopez de Heredia. The Cubillo vineyard has vines that are about 40 years old and the 65% Tempranillo … Continue reading →

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, Mazuelo, OTHER, RED, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lopez de Haro, Tempranillo, Crianza, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2010, 13.5% abv.

Posted on April 28, 2015 by winellama

Meh.  I expected more from this wine. A 90% Tempranillo with 7% Garnacha and the remainder Graciano for perfume and colour, this is a Crianza version from a hillside at the village of San Vicente de La Sonsierra in Rioja, Spain. … Continue reading →

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, RED, Red, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bodegas Valgrande, Rincón de Navas, Riserva, Rioja Alta, Rioja DOC, Spain, 1995, 12% abv.

Posted on April 13, 2015 by winellama

This Rioja classic is connected to the Valduero family who also own bodegas in Ribero del Duero and Toro. The cork was perfect – a happy surprise to find on a 20 year old wine.  The Rincón has a translucent shade of ruby red … Continue reading →

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Viña Tondonia, Reserva, López de Heredia, Rioja DOC, Spain, 1998, 12.5% abv.

Posted on March 13, 2015 by winellama

Just about any bottle of López de Heredia is enough to make most wine geeks swoon.  But, when we put five in a room armed with glasses and this bottle of Viña Tondonia Reserva, 1998, the atmosphere quickly became ‘fan girly’. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Macabeu/Viura, Malvasia, OTHER, Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rose, Bodegas Muga, Rioja DOCa, Spain, 2013, 12.5% abv, C$18

Posted on August 11, 2014 by winellama

Summer is meant for rose wine – or is it the other way around?  I often wonder why rose is not called ‘pink’ wine in English – we have white and red, so why not pink? This pink wine is fresh, … Continue reading →

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, ROSE, Spain, Tempranillo, Viura / White Rioja | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Viña Gravonia, Crianza, López de Heredia, Rioja Alta, Spain, 2000, 12% abv, C$42 BCLB

Posted on April 23, 2013 by winellama

It was a sad day for the unusual wines of Rioja, Spain; Pedro Lopez de Heredia passed away today.  This called for the raising of a special glass in his honour and memory. Enter the Viña Gravonia, Crianza 2000. Several years ago … Continue reading →

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Vina Ardanza, Reserva Especial, Rioja Alta, Rioja AOC, Spain, 13.5% abv, US $32

Posted on October 19, 2012 by winellama

Purchased in New Haven, Connecticut, this is an 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha blend made only in special vintages – 1964, 1973 and this 2001 example. The wine has a clear, deep, rich garnet core moving to a thick bricked ruby … Continue reading →

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Viña Tondonia, López de Heredia, Rosada, Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain, 2000, 12% abv.

Posted on August 12, 2012 by winellama

I’ve been waiting to open this bottle for a while. After reading about it in the New York Times, I bought two of the three bottles available locally and opened one when family came to visit from England. Come to think of … Continue reading →

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, Macabeu/Viura, ROSE, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment