R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2004

9.6

If you know, you know.

Just eying the bottle evokes a sense of mysticism—these are increasingly rare sightings, relics of a winemaking philosophy nearly lost to time. Opening it after a recent visit to the winery feels familiar, almost fated.

The color holds strong despite its 20+ years, with a core of garnet that defies its age. On the nose, memory takes over: the scent of the underground cellar, the mold-covered walls, the rustic perfume of wood and brick. Then come the classics notes—dried rose petals, red berries, and a whisper of spice.

The palate surprises with more volume than the bottle’s vintage muster’s. Lively red fruit mingles with savory earth and warm spice, carried by silken tannins. The finish lingers with a trace of wet oak, grounding the experience in place and time.

This is a wine of lineage, character, and quiet perseverance—a style too uncommon today. Most importantly, it was opened, shared, and deeply enjoyed. — a month ago

Paul, Dave and 10 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Cubillo Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2016

Igal Baevsky

9.5

Complex and very aromatic. Excellent! — 6 days ago

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Blanco Malvasia Viura 2012

Zach D

9.5

A unique wine. Vibrant golden hue, reductive aroma combined with a variety of ripe orchard fruits, saline breeze, pineapple, wet stone. Palate with high acidity, a lingering tannic grip, stony minerality, apple, pear, fresh almonds. I drink the current vintage (which happens to be 2012 this year) with my wife once per year, and have for the last 5 years. Nostalgic. — 2 months ago

Ira and Ron liked this

Ron R

Sounds really cool!

Zach D

@Ron R I would try it at least once; not a profile that will resonate with everyone, but super classic and old school. Offers a unique experience; it is a wine that if blinded to color, could be mistaken for a red wine

Ron R

Wow, that’s interesting. You have certainly got my attention on this. Cheers!

R. López de Heredia

Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura 2012

Vin d’Ottawa

9.2

This is a favourite & we picked up a few bottles to see how age changes it. This is our last bottle and age has done it well.

Time has made it weightier. The wine is real dry & has a bit of a walnut flavour. In its depths, you can tease out a hint of sweetness.

We need to find more. — 19 hours ago

with Gillian

Peter and Doug liked this

Peter Sultan

It sings to me too… just the price of admission has radically altered over the years!@Vin d’Ottawa

Pinotman /// Andreas

I am surprised that you did not rate this higher. I have an older version - they tend to get oxidized - hence the Walnut - there are folks who hate that - but i think it is different and brilliant!