Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend

Elegant and balanced wine in a nice spot. Oak not obtrusive as with some young Rioja. Bright ruby/garnet. Floral and spicy aromatics. Red berries, pepper, licorice, iron, vanilla, tobacco. Nice complexity at the price point

I’m always excited to try a new vintage of Tondonia and earlier this week, I got to try the 2007 for the first time. A significant departure from the 2006 which was (and remains currently) open for business with very little coaxing, the 2007 is austere and loaded with VA. Some aggressive decanting was able to get the VA to blow off and slowly but surely it started to open up, revealing some high quality and seriously dark cherry fruit. A heady, serious wine that needs loads of patience right now if this bottle is representative. Hold or decant for 24 hours.

Now when we’ve been praising the new generation of Rioja, it is time to pay tribute to a classic, and there’s nothing more classic in Rioja than R. Lopez de Heredia. The 2007 Reserva is a homerun, aged with such an grace yet with a vital fruit, balanced between the clusters as it‘s evolving from its primary red fruit that is spiced with a volatile lift, through herbs, cedar and leather before hitting the earth with mushrooms and truffles. The palate glides through with a silky texture, yet with a good grip, well defined presence and a proud posture.

The R. Lopez Heredia ‘Vina Tondonia Reserva’ Rioja was sourced from what was generally a challenging, low-yielding vintage in Rioja, that was somehow rated ‘very good.’ The wine is a gorgeous blend of Tempranillo (75%), Garnacho (15%), Graciano and Mazuelo (10%) that was aged for six years before bottling. Needing an hour in the decanter to fully evolve, the ‘Vina Tondonia Reserva’ shows pretty red cherry cordial and wild blackberry tones that are woven together with dark licorice, pencil shavings and suggestions of wild mushroom that all take shape in the glass. The palate is round and generous, showing really good range from menthol to black cherry compote, Umami and suggestions of red bell pepper with Mandarin orange rind undertones that sing in unison. The freshness and verve of the wine that combine with the weight seriously impresses. Every bit outstanding, this is amongst the best of the vintage. Drink 2020-2038- 95

Classics never get old

Understated but I really like this release. The usual notes of cherry, herbs, cedar, leather and earth in a mellow and classically styled package. One of my fave young Tondonias

This is 2007 Vintage -mushroom, truffles, currants ,cherry fruit, spice, black ants (I know that’s weird )good time to drink the 375ml nice

9

Not my fav Tempranillo- needs to sleep for another 10 years but I suspect it will not get much better - the 2007 was given a 95 by JS and RP but I don’t get that - way too fruit forward without the integration I was expecting - almost believe I did something wrong in comparing my experience to the critics

.375 with lunch - really hanging in there! Delicious.