TN: 2001 R. López de Heredia - "Gravonia" Crianza Blanco (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

NOSE: a bit reductive upon opening, but this did dissipate with air; hint of Strawberry licorice rope; light honey/beeswax character, with a hint of spearmint; expressive.

BODY: golden maize color of medium depth; medium bodied.

TASTE: intensely flavored: lemony; wool; hint of petrol; lemon/citric on the front palate, mineral and hay on mid & rear palates; long finish is full of mineral and wool, as well as the slightest hint of funk, and is of medium to medium-strong intensity; maybe a hint of oxidation, but I wouldn’t say that aspect really stands-out much; zippy acidity; actually a tad tannic upon opening, but said tannins disappeared shortly thereafter; 12.5% alc. not noticeable; very well-balanced and poised; given this producer’s reputation, and the apparent quality of this wine, I feel this would age very nicely — that said, this is drinking fabulously now, and would make for a great match with delicate sea food. Drink now through 2021.

B: 50, 5, 13, 16, 8 = (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

I was amazed by this wine. It was far better than the '00, '99, and the '98, IMO.

NOSE: initially, somewhat reminiscent of a red wine: buttery oak, hint of leather, squash, and a very faint berry aroma; with time, notes of old wood, lemon pledge, strawberry Runts candy, and a faint hint of petrol/mint; complex and expressive.

BODY: tan-golden yellow color of medium to medium-deep depth; medium bodied.

TASTE: incredibly acidity; very dry – almost a bit tannic; lots of wooly mineral; faint red berry or red apple flavor; lacking the young lemon citrus note of past bottles – this bottle is much closer to the Tondonia style than were previous bottles; somewhat oxidative; light oak; long finish of medium-light to medium intensity; 12.5% alc. is well-hidden. Very nice.

B: 50, 5, 13, 17, 8 = (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

This is a wonderful wine. At C$27- up here, it’s a steal.

It’s an elegant and waxy wine with a floral, honeyed and herbal character; beautiful balance; precise structure; piercing extract; very much in equilibrium with the right balance and pleasing proportions. Delicious, elegant, and unique in character - you don’t often find that in this price range. A-