Region: Rioja DOCa, Spain

Varietal: 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo

Producer: López de Heredia is one of Rioja’s great time capsules—in the most glorious sense. Founded in 1877 and still family-run, the estate has steadfastly resisted modern trends, quietly perfecting a house style that values patience over polish. While Tondonia often steals the spotlight, Viña Cubillo has long been the insider’s pick: a traditionally made Rioja that delivers all the soul of the estate with a little more approachability. For lovers of classic European wines, Cubillo is a reminder that greatness doesn’t need reinvention—it just needs time.

Vineyard & Winemaking: The fruit for Cubillo comes from estate vineyards in Rioja Alta, where clay-limestone soils and a cooler climate lend freshness and structure. The blend is led by Tempranillo, supported by small amounts of Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo, all farmed with López de Heredia’s famously meticulous, old-fashioned approach. Fermentation takes place in large, neutral oak vats, followed by extended aging in American oak barrels crafted in the winery’s own cooperage. The wine spends years resting in bottle before release, emerging fully formed and unapologetically traditional.

Tasting Notes: The 2017 Viña Cubillo is classic Rioja in its most charming, unfussy form. Aromas of dried cherry, leather, tobacco leaf, and warm spice lead into a palate that’s silky, savory, and quietly complex. The tannins are resolved but present, the acidity lively, and the flavors lean more toward earth and spice than fruit-forward flash. This is a wine made for the table—perfect with roast lamb, grilled sausages, or anything involving mushrooms—and it’s drinking beautifully now while still having the structure to cruise for several more years. Old soul energy, zero dust.