López de Heredia truly need little introduction. Founded in 1877, and one of the “big four” centenarian wineries of Haro (alongside Muga, La Rioja Alta, and CVNE), the bodega remains family-run to this day and their timeless wines embody the (ultra-)traditional style of Rioja, released only when they are deemed ready. While this can leave drinkers impatient, it ultimately means that the finest quality is always assured, and that a new vintage release is always a special occasion.

The 2011 vintage in Rioja was, like the 2010, classified by the Rioja DOCa as “excellent”. While the Consejo Regulador’s vintage classification does not always correlate with that of the critics, it is worth noting that the next vintage to be classified as “excellent” is the 2019, so wines from the 2011 vintage are valuable additions to any Rioja lover's cellar. It is perhaps a vintage to drink a little earlier than the 2010, which is the perfect excuse to open, decant, and drink a bottle now, we’d say!