Rioja Blanco, Vina Gravonia, R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia 2016

2016 was a superb vintage in Rioja, and the 2016 Viña 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. 2025 - 2032

Aromas of cashews, roasted almonds, saffron, white truffles, honey, dried lemons and beeswax. Bright acidity with cream, nuts and subtle white fruit on the palate. Long and savory in nature. Such a beautiful wine with a finish that lasts a minute. Classic Lopez de Heredia and one of the best. 100% viura. Drink or hold.