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Javier San Pedro Ortega

Cueva de Lobos Crianza 2019

Rioja

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This is the style of Rioja Crianza that Spaniards crave: youthful, juicy, lifted reds without excessive weight or overbearing tannins. The Cueva de Lobos Crianza is made from 100% Tempranillo, with a mix of French and American oak providing a subtle nuance and complexity.

Vineyard

The vineyards are sourced largely in Rioja Alavesa, near the Sierra de Cantabrian Mountains. Average vine age is around 20 years.

Winemaking

Fermented in stainless steel and aged for 12 months in used French and American barrels

Vintage Note

A particularly good year, with Wines from Spain calling it “one of the best vintages of the decade”. The year was warm and relatively dry, with slightly reduced yields providing concentration

Tasting Note

Rich but lifted, with a refreshing red fruit character and a welcoming bite of tannin

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Tempranillo

Appellation

Rioja

Alcohol

14.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$18

Reviews

90

Balance and Varietal Typicity

James Suckling - November 9, 2022 "Spiced strawberry and plum aromas with some red capsicum on the nose. This is a medium-bodied red with a moderate amount of firm tannins and plummy fruit. Shows balance and varietal typicity."

Trade Materials

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Other Wines by this Producer

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Viuda Negra Crianza

Rioja

Sourced from around the famed town of Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa, the Viuda Negra Crianza is a well-defined Tempranillo that demonstrates the remarkable sense of place Javier pulls from all his wines. Jubilant in style, as Javier likes from his Crianza’s, the wine still manages to show a remarkable level of complexity due to 30+ year old vines from higher elevation vineyards.

Las Levantadas

Rioja

Levantadas (raised) refers to the upper slopes of Javier’s estate vineyards, a place where white varietals like this retain a high level of acidity while ripening evenly. The results are powerful and precise, while keeping a freshness and lift from the sourcing and light winemaking hand.

Cueva de Lobos Tinto Joven

Rioja

The Cueva de Lobos Tinto Joven is a 100% Tempranillo made without superfluous details or unnecessary weight. The bright and clean profile comes from simple winemaking in stainless steel tanks, allowing the purity of the fruit to shine.

Cueva de Lobos Blanco Joven

Rioja

Javier’s Cueva de Lobos Blanco is crafted to appease a more youthful crowd, featuring a clean, crisp, and modern style. The level of precision and clarity brought out in the Viura is a remarkable testament to Javier’s winemaking prowess.