WTN - R. López de Heredia Rioja Viña Gravonia 1996

• 1996 R. López de Heredia Rioja Viña Gravonia - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (7/17/2008)
  Yellow/gold in colour, with a nose of peaches, lime, and cardamon. Crisp and very dry on the medium- to full-bodied palate, with a hint of coconut, grapefruit, and lemon-lime; not a lot of fruit, but more minerally and even saline notes. Just a touch of oxidation. As others in Cellartracker have stated, similar to an aged Hunter Valley semillon or savenierres, due to its dryness and lack of overt fruitiness (in a good way). I really enjoyed this, quite an 'intellectual' wine that was better on the second night (A-). Probably my favourite vintage of this wine so far.

Oooh, I love this wine! I'm looking forward to another bottle of it sometime soon.

[Jenise]

Haven't had it yet, but I recently bought the wine and am looking forward to tasting it. Thanks for the note.

My vendor had a different vintage:

1998 R. López de Heredia Rioja Viña Gravonia (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja) 6/8/2008 92

My first tasting of this 'baby' LdeH white. Light pure gold color tinged with lime green. Nose of grass and citrus. Interesting tasting profile, strong minerals and light oak, fruits are pear, grapefruit, a little kiwi, underripe when cold, riper and deeper when warmed, but never even slightly sweet. Long, long aftertaste of those ripe fruits, significantly tart at times, best with full-flavored food. This is my favorite style of wine.