Vina Tondonia Red Rioja Reserva Bodega Lopez Heredia – 2012

This iconic Rioja comes from a gravel-stoned single vineyard on the northern bank of the Rio Ebro in Rioja Alta. The vines average around 50 years old. The wine is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo,  which is fermented in large old oak casks before being matured for 6 years in aged American oak barrels. It then spent a further  5 years in bottle before being released for sale. This is the classic way Rioja used to be made, and consumed when mature and ready to drink. It has 13% alcohol.

“The 2012 Viña Tondonia Reserva comes from a very dry year, with 25% less rain than the average (at the time), resulting in lower yields of very healthy grapes that delivered wines with nice balance between alcohol and polyphenols, making it very apt for the aging in barrel. It had a slightly longer élevage in barrel, six years. The wine is aromatic with a developed profile, spicy and tertiary (forest floor, a touch of brick dust and iodine), complex and nuanced. The palate is full and round, with polished tannins and a long, dry finish. It has a textbook Tondonia nose and profile.” 95/100pts The Wine Advocate

Decanter magazine’s  “wine to try before you die”; February 2025

70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 10% Graciano and Mazuelo, bottled in January 2022, having matured in 225L American oak barrels for six years.

“All you can expect from a classical Viña Tondonia with its focused intensity and muscular yet very elegant tannins. At once assertive and silky, with juicy red and blue fruit gliding over the palate while being pleasantly pulled back by an energetic, iodine verve. Subtle, hovering, brooding notes of tobacco, mocha and wet forest floor.” Drink: 2025-2040 Alcohol: 13%