May 15, 2019 - Out of my memory. Tasted at the Bodega and brought a bottle back home. My first encounter with the whites of Lopez de Heredia. 4 years in used, american oak barrels, 225 L . Fantastic! Lightly oxidised, a bit like fino but much fresher, with a hint of fruit hiding behind this wonderfull layers of flowers, nuts, butter, wax and this gracefull lightness. This so complex, charming and full of charakter, combining structure, power with this fragility. One of my favorites!
October 19, 2018 - A sweet nose of creme anglaise and truffles. The palate is shaped rather boisterously and shows bruised apple and marine notes. Certainly a fascinating wine but a slight sense of thinning on the finish shows that this is on the gentlest of downward slopes.
June 6, 2018 - Delicately balancing between oxididation and a warm aged nose, this is still drinking well. Dry, not very complex but quite interesting. Oak does not seem prominent to me, at least compared to my old favourite traditional white Rioja, the Marques de Murrieta bottlings from 1981 and 1979.
December 7, 2017 - Mainly Pinot — work folk tasting/social (Home): This bottle struck me as being a little dilute and less complex than previous ones. Typical Gravonia profile though. ***
October 14, 2017 - Super wine and fantastic vfm. As previously, the classic LdH slightly waxy lanolin with a chewy texture. Very mineral. Lovely on its own or with food. Spot on now. ****
July 2, 2016 - In the three years since I last drank this vintage, 2013, the wine has oxidized a lot. A real lot. It kind of crossed that line between really interesting and too much. Enjoyed it more in 2013.
October 22, 2015 - This has put on a little weight over the last couple of years. A slightly honeyed, waxy lanolin nose that follows through to the palate which has a nicely mineral, finely tannins almost crunchy texture. A very tactile mouthfeel. Blind I'd pick this as Tondo. ****
October 7, 2015 - Nose of a young sauternes. With apricot and hints of lemongrass as well. Unripened strawberry, mango, hints of wood and red currant on the palate. Notes of burnt wood and oxidation as well, per the house style.
June 25, 2015 - Very interesting. Bright gold, it gives this impression of an ageless wine, similar to what good Loire Chenins or Jura whites deliver. Complex and fresh, silky texture, long. Great food wine, think about Tapas but also fish. Outstanding QPR. Exllent. Drink or hold.
April 3, 2015 - Very interesting wine. Very different than all the white wines that I have tasted so far. Golden straw color. The fact that it is a 2002 itself makes it unique as I have not had white wines that old. Terrific bouquet. Citrus, oak, sandalwood. Medium body. Drinks much stronger than a traditional chardonnay or sauv blanc. Started the evening by drinking this. Should have waited. The wine is strong enough that it is best drunk when paired with food. Mushroom pasta or Salmon with mushroon sauce. Unique wine. Try it!