Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend

Youthful but more resolved than the Rioja Alta. Nice red fruit, tobacco, spice.

(aged in American oak barrels for nine years and then in bottle for a minimum of eight more years) Faded brick-red. Aromas of red berries, dried rose, cedar and tobacco show outstanding delineation and pick up woodsmoke and herb nuances as the wine opens up. Sweet and seamless in texture, offering mineral-accented red currant, cherry and blood orange flavors that spread out steadily on the back half. The extremely long, tannin-free finish shows compelling sweetness, lingering florality and an echo of smoky oak. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, May 2017)

Defective

Outstanding. And it was comped!

Served with...
Aiguillette de Caneton au Poivre Vert

Lost a bit due to temperature fluctuations in Ramon's cellar. But still drinkable, and good palate.

Always a pleasure

Brilliant start to an evening with Scott and Melissa. Pale brick color, light to medium body. Orange zest and cigar box, noticeable oak but not off-putting or overdone. Classic rioja. Drinking beautifully now, no hurry but I can't imagine it getting any better either.

Vintage is a ???? but the shop guessed '64.

Bottled especially for Vinos Ezeiza in San Sebastián

In an ethereal place for drinking. Get it.