The Wines of López de Heredia with María José López de Heredia
Cork Market Tasting Room, Washington, DC
Tasted March 21, 2012 by lowereastscott with 408 views
Introduction
We got two seats at the last minute for this special event in the upper tasting room of Cork Market. We were joined by María José López de Heredia, great-granddaughter of the founder, who presented six wines from her family's winery. The wines were expertly paired with small plates by the chef of Cork Wine Bar. María told us that "wine should eat the food." We agreed that the whole lineup was food-friendly, and the wines and the food made each other substantially better.
Flight 1 (2 notes)
Paired with: (a) deviled eggs with boquerones, roasted red peppers and green olives; (b) chili and garlic marinated grilled squid, herb salad, fried chickpeas and pickled fennel; and (c) mussels in tomato cava broth, preserved lemon, tomato confit and smoked eggplant.
White
1987 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Medium gold; funky nose, like stinky cheese, wet nuts; slightly sour flavor up front, like pickle or olive juice, moving to pears in syrup and a long, creamy finish. This wine really transformed with the food -- the rough edges smoothed out, the acid toned down, and the fruit came out. Very nice.
Flight 2 (2 notes)
Paired with: (a) toasted baguette rubbed with tomoato jam, serrano ham and idiazabal; (b) shrimp sauteed with garlic, pimenton and served with romesco; and (c) chicharrones de pato with cherry confit, la peral and frisee.
Red
2005 R. López de Heredia Rioja Crianza Viña Cubillo
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Maria called this a classic "tapas wine." Easy drinking. Medium red; red fruit and spice on the nose with a hint of licorice; subtle cherry and more spice on the palate; oak is well integrated. Pleasing.
Red
2003 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Dark red; enticing nose of rasberry, cedar and mint; on the palate, more juicy red berries, cigar box, and a touch of meatiness, like ham. Well-balanced with a long, clean finish. Very nice.
Flight 3 (3 notes)
Paired with: (a) roasted beet and blood orange salad with goat cheese, pistachios and sherry vinaigrette; (b) patatas bravas with chorizo aioli; and (c) hangar steak "a la plancha" with salsa verde.
Red
1970 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Bosconia
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
This bottle was brought by a diner at another table from his personal collection and generously shared with us. A beautiful ruby color, it looks younger than the '91 Tondonia. Fantastic mature nose of earth, truffle, mushroom and fallen leaves; nice, but very subtle red fruit; all about the tertiary aspects at this point; the tannins are fully resolved and it's in a nice place, but I don't see it getting much better from here. A great experience, like a well-aged Barolo or Burgundy.
Closing
What a fun way to spend a Wednesday evening!
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