# Lopez Cristobal Crianza (2016)

- **Producer:** Bodegas Lopez Cristobal
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Tempranillo, Merlot
- **Region:** Castilla y León, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €20
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–20 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** ripe fruit, black plum, black cherry, blackcurrant, coffee, chocolate, cedar, cloves, smoke, vanilla, tobacco, leather, earth

## About this wine

Bodegas Lopez Cristobal is a family winery established in 1994 by Santiago López and Lola Cristóbal, fulfilling a generational aspiration. The estate leverages its own vineyards in the Ribera del Duero region of Spain. The name 'Lopez Cristobal' is a fusion of the founders' surnames. The vineyards are situated at a high altitude, contributing to the wine's character. The 2016 vintage is noted for its ripe acidity and firm tannins.

## Interesting facts

- The winery name combines the surnames of the founding couple, Santiago López and Lola Cristóbal.
- Vineyards are situated at approximately 790 meters (2,600 ft) elevation.
- The wine is a blend of primarily Tempranillo with a small percentage of Merlot.
- The 2016 vintage received a 91-point rating from Guía Peñín.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and firm tannins are well-suited to complement the richness of proteins like lamb, beef, and pork, effectively cutting through fat. The wine's fruit notes can harmonize with savory dishes, while its structure stands up to robust flavors.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process for Lopez Cristobal Crianza begins with hand-harvested grapes, selected on a table. Fermentation takes place at 28°C. The wine is then aged for 12 months in oak barrels, a mix of 80% French and 20% American oak. Following barrel aging, it spends another 12 months in bottle before release. The producer utilizes sustainable farming practices.