Lopez de Heredia - Vina Tondonia Reserva 2012 750ml (13% abv)
only got 6 bottles
top level Rioja from an iconic estate, as traditional & old school as it gets
Heredia makes (ages) their Reserva to the standards of a Gran Reserva, the 2012 is the current release, so basically a library release perfectly cellared
amazing now, but can continue to age and mature for years to come too
96 JS Savory berries, plums, iron, minerals, tobacco, ink and blood oranges. Very bright, juicy and structured, with sensational balance, aged savoriness and brightness that are typical of Tondonia reds. Beautiful now.
95 WA 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 TA Viña Tondonia can seem austere in its (comparative) youth, especially when compared with sweeter Bosconia, but this is a wine that will reward patience. Picked earlier to assuage the effects of a warmer site, this blend of Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo is structured and focused, with redcurrant, forest floor and green herb notes. Give it time.
95 V cultivated on the meander of the Ebro River in Rioja Alta. This garnet wine reveals aromas of ash and plum marmalade, with a faintly herbal core and hints of oaky cedar. Dry and lean, the fairly chalky texture lingers long, concluding with a compact, flavorful and lasting finish. The 2012 is a beautiful old-school Rioja
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Bodegas R. López de Heredia is one of Spain’s most esteemed and historically significant wineries, renowned for its commitment to traditional winemaking methods and extended aging practices. The winery is among the oldest in Haro and one of the first in the Rioja region. Since its founding over 130 years ago, little has changed at López de Heredia. Unlike many Rioja producers who source grapes from a network of small growers, López de Heredia cultivates all its own fruit, sourcing exclusively from its own vineyards: Viña Tondonia, Viña Bosconia, Viña Cubillo, and Viña Gravonia. They rely exclusively on natural yeasts, avoid filtration, and continue to age their wines in wood for six to eight years—using barrels they craft themselves. A hallmark of their approach is extended aging; wines are released only when the winemaker deems them ready, often 5–10 years post-harvest
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