Altos del Rubio 2018: Rioja Crianza Spanish Elegance

On the table: a bottle of 2018 Altos del Rubio Crianza by Viñedo y Bodegas Lyng. Sent to me by the bodega itself. Time to taste.

A Rioja Crianza sits in the hierarchy between the youthful Joven and the more mature Reserva and Gran Reserva. To carry the designation, a red Rioja must age at least two years, with at least one in oak. That gives Crianza its own profile: structure and oak influence, without losing the fruit.

What a Crianza is, briefly

Grape varieties: Primarily Tempranillo, often blended with Garnacha, Mazuelo, or Graciano.

Aging requirements: Minimum two years total, with at least one in oak barrels.

Alcohol: Typically 13.5% to 14.5%.

Serving temperature: 16 to 18°C.

At the table, Crianza covers a lot of ground. Grilled lamb or pork, aged cheeses, tomato-based pasta, Spanish tapas like chorizo and jamón ibérico. A Crianza is usually ready to drink on release, with room to age 3 to 8 years.

Tasting notes: Altos del Rubio Crianza 2018

Medium ruby red with a garnet rim. The nose leads with ripe red berries, mostly strawberry and sour cherry, alongside blackberry and blueberry. Subtle vanilla and spice sit underneath: nutmeg, cinnamon, toast from the oak, and a hint of Mediterranean herbs. Medium-bodied and silky on the palate, juicy red fruit up front, then layers of tobacco, cocoa and a touch of licorice, carried by high but well-integrated tannins and medium-plus acidity. It runs long, with red fruit and oak-derived spice plus a subtle minerality.

Tasting in 2024, you can feel the six years in bottle. The cuvée balances fruit and oak the way a good Crianza should. Drinks well at a weeknight dinner and at a celebration.

Why Crianza stays popular

According to the Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja, Crianza accounts for around 45% of all Rioja wines sold. The largest category. Four reasons stand out.

Price. Crianza delivers complexity for less than Reserva or Gran Reserva.

Versatility. Approachable for beginners, interesting enough for enthusiasts.

Food-friendliness. Moderate tannins and acid work across many cuisines.

Quality. Producers like Viñedo y Bodegas Lyng invest in vineyard and cellar. That pulls the average up.

The verdict

Rioja Crianza is a strong entry point into the region: enough structure and complexity, without Reserva pricing. The 2018 Altos del Rubio from Viñedo y Bodegas Lyng shows what the category can do when vineyard and cellar both deliver.

So next time you’re scanning a wine list or a shelf: a Rioja Crianza is rarely a miss. ¡Salud!

Thanks to Viñedo y Bodegas Lyng for sending the bottle.

More information about Viñedo y Bodegas Lyng: https://www.bodegaslyng.es/

Sources

Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja: riojawine.com