R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Cubillo Crianza 2018 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 95/100

The super bargain of the portfolio has to be the red 2017 Viña Cubillo Tinto Crianza, which this year shows more development and faster aging, with more tertiary notes than the other reds from 2013 and 2014 that I tasted next to it. The frost of April 2017 killed 100% of the vegetal mass at Cubillo, and the grapes they picked were exclusively from the second generation, therefore fruit that ripened in a much shorter cycle, as the harvest was also earlier. It has notes of damp earth, mushrooms, truffles and forest floor, dry leaves and decayed flowers and herbs. It has a polished palate and is medium-bodied, with mostly resolved tannins, and it feels a little lighter. But it's still worth it. It was produced with a blend of ... [Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo] from vines averaging 53 years of age. It fermented in their old oak vats and matured in used American oak barrels for three+ years. It has 13.5% alcohol, a 3.0 pH and 6.5 grams of acidity. Drink date: 2024-2036. (Luis Gutiérrez,Wine Advocate,March 12, 2026) MINE: López de Heredia Cubillo Crianza 2017 is fresh and elegant, with bright dark-plum and black-cherry perfume, savory herb and sweet-tobacco leaf nuances, silky mid-palate and resolved tannins—drink now to 2032 with roasted lamb or charcuterie. NEW: R. Lopez de Heredia has farmed the Vina Cubillo vineyard in Rioja for generations, and this Crianza shows real development from time in old American oak. Dark plum and morello cherry carry a savoury, earthy depth. Age has resolved the tannin into something silky and light on its feet. Clove surfaces at the very last. Lamb roast or veal cutlets would make a natural pairing. Some wineries chase modern trends; this one has been doing things the same way since before most trends existed.

Crianza food pairings: lamb roast, grilled rib steak, pork tenderloin, veal cutlets.

Luscious Lamb Wine

This R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Cubillo Crianza 2018 was reviewed on October 24, 2026 by Natalie MacLean

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Please note that our reviews are based on a variety of sources: samples sent to our team, those we purchase in store, tasting events, those tasted in restaurants and while traveling domestically and internationally.