Weingut R & A Pfaffl

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2012

Tasting notes during visit to the winery where absolutely everything is done in-house by hand; preserving centuries old winemaking traditions. In the Tondonia offering one can really appreciate the time and patience dedicated to crafting this wine. The wine evolves to a rustic yet graceful profile with strong notes of dark berries with slight oak and dark chocolate. On the palate the wine is bliss, medium bodied, fully integrated, with balanced acidity and a long finish.

The juice is fermented in old large wooden “tinas,” then transferred to American oak barrels (made in house to medium toast specifications), stored underground in their +100 year old cellars for at least a year. After that it is bottled and stored in the same underground cellars and finally released about ten years later. Learning about their curated winemaking process was inspiring.
— 17 days ago

Andrew, Ira and 15 others liked this
Peter van den Besselaar

Peter van den Besselaar Influencer Badge

Sweet angel in the wine cabinet

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Rioja Rosé Blend 2008

Medium copper salmon colour . Slightly waxy dried orange , spiced wild strawberry , touch of resin , sea salt . On the palate this has more fruit , with touches of orange , spiced dried strawberry , roasted nuts, saline seaside hints , balanced acidity and elegant , refined personality. Intense and long , this is probably showing better and more complete than the 2011 I had a few weeks ago . Just starting to get going , but still with a long life ahead. From now and over the next 5 to 10 years perhaps . — 2 months ago

"Odedi", Ely and 8 others liked this

Thierry Allemand

Cornas Reynard (R) Syrah 2011

Always a treat with its perfumed aromatics, balanced dark cherry, berry fruits, spice, mineral, graphite, iron, olive, pepper & violets — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 8 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Bosconia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2013

Tasting notes during visit to the winery where absolutely everything is done in-house by hand; preserving centuries old winemaking traditions. Bosconia is a delicate wine highlighted by persistent tones of red berries and bright acidity with integrated tannins closing with medium but lingering finish.

No stainless steel here. The juice is fermented in old large wooden “tinas,” then transferred to American oak barrels (made in house to lighter toast specifications), underground in their +100 year old cellars for at least a year. After that it is bottled and stored in the same underground cellars and finally released about ten years later. Learning about their curated winemaking process was inspiring.
— 17 days ago

Ted, Paul and 12 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Gravonia Crianza Rioja Viura 2011

A pleasant Fino without all the drama and extra weight. Can you handle the Truth? — 2 months ago

Peter, Brian and 12 others liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 1970

Poured into a decanter maybe an hour prior to service. The 1970 Tondonia Gran Reserva pours a garnet color with a transparent core, moving towards a slightly orange rim. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and absolutely brilliant with a mix of desiccated and ripe fruits: dried Morello and Montmorency cherry, cocoa powder, mushrooms, old leather bound books, an entire cabinet full of dried herbs and spices, a memory of barnyard and a deciduous forest floor. On the palate, the wine is dry with good structure still: medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and makes me believe there is something bigger than us in this life. This bottle, on this afternoon, gives the confidence to embrace the mystery. Drink now with an hour of air but I get the sense this is one of those Energizer Bunny wines… — 2 months ago

Ely, Jae and 28 others liked this
Jay Kline

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@Tom Casagrande it doesn’t happen very often for me…maybe once a year. But when it does, it’s an emotional thing
Somm David T

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Nice treat.

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. — 8 hours ago

Ira liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Cubillo Crianza Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2015

2015. Wasn’t sure what to pair with this delicious Filipino rice dish with longanisa, chicken, and cumin crab fat butter (likely a wide range of whites, rosés, and lighter reds would work well), but I wanted to try this Spanish Crianza and it was wonderful! The fruit flavors were enough to complement the sweet sausage and the smooth tannins cut through the richness without intensifying the spice. — 2 months ago

Somm, Iwan and 10 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

If you are unsure of the pairing, here is an easy to use site for the assist. Cheers! 🍷

http://www.winedin.com/
Brian Hearty

Brian Hearty

Thank you!

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2011

Not a strong fragrance…
Drinks a bit tart/sour, with flavors of spice and tart fruit.
— 6 months ago