R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend
La Rioja, Spain
Such is the way of life at López de Heredia, the 2010 Reserva was only released to the market last year, while most bodegas are currently extolling the virtues of their 2019s. Well, as a fan of Viña Tondonia, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the 2010, fabled year that it is, having enjoyed many a superb wine from other producers in this vintage.
Decanted for four hours, this wine is effusive from the glass, with a strikingly darker, richer aromatic profile compared to vintages such as 2007 and 2001, and more in line with 2008 - but better still. The oak provides a generous chocolate- and vanilla-laced bouquet that also has blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries and kirsch, and bouquet garni. The palate is, predictably, very austere at this primal stage, but again has a richer, more rounded mouthfeel to prior vintages that is simply wonderful. Needless to say, this is a benchmark wine for the region and will age rather well, and what a wine it will be in decades to come.
Such is the way of life at López de Heredia, the 2010 Reserva was only released to the market last year, while most bodegas are currently extolling the virtues of their 2019s. Well, as a fan of Viña Tondonia, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the 2010, fabled year that it is, having enjoyed many a superb wine from other producers in this vintage.
Decanted for four hours, this wine is effusive from the glass, with a strikingly darker, richer aromatic profile compared to vintages such as 2007 and 2001, and more in line with 2008 - but better still. The oak provides a generous chocolate- and vanilla-laced bouquet that also has blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries and kirsch, and bouquet garni. The palate is, predictably, very austere at this primal stage, but again has a richer, more rounded mouthfeel to prior vintages that is simply wonderful. Needless to say, this is a benchmark wine for the region and will age rather well, and what a wine it will be in decades to come.
Shows a seamless integration of dried fruit, earth, balance, elegance and tannin. Showing well at this point and continuing to evolve in the direction of dried berries and plum, tobacco, herbs, iron and fine tannin.
Shows a seamless integration of dried fruit, earth, balance, elegance and tannin. Showing well at this point and continuing to evolve in the direction of dried berries and plum, tobacco, herbs, iron and fine tannin.
Sep 6th, 20232010. Loads going on here. But needs time to open. Darker fruit than some rioja. Earthy.
2010. Loads going on here. But needs time to open. Darker fruit than some rioja. Earthy.
Nov 25th, 2022
This bottle is the best of many previous tastings of this vintage. Sumptuous! Coffee grounds, nougate, green herbs, mint, and well-integrated neutral oak; high acids, fine tannins, dark dried fruits, and a long salty finish.
This bottle is the best of many previous tastings of this vintage. Sumptuous! Coffee grounds, nougate, green herbs, mint, and well-integrated neutral oak; high acids, fine tannins, dark dried fruits, and a long salty finish.
Nov 12th, 2022
Very dusty and muted fruit. Def a bit disappointing as compared to other tondonia bottles. Good to drink with the typhoon going outside Tarragona hotel though
Very dusty and muted fruit. Def a bit disappointing as compared to other tondonia bottles. Good to drink with the typhoon going outside Tarragona hotel though
Sep 23rd, 2022
Very interesting wine. Nice mix of earth tea and lingering mouthfeel with cherry and fruit. Nice drinking window now. This was muscular and bursting.
Very interesting wine. Nice mix of earth tea and lingering mouthfeel with cherry and fruit. Nice drinking window now. This was muscular and bursting.
Jul 5th, 2024
Starts slow but then rises with medium red fruit and that quintessential Spanish iodine note.
Starts slow but then rises with medium red fruit and that quintessential Spanish iodine note.
May 26th, 2024
Very interesting wine this. Lots of leather with cassis and a hint of menthol. Very easy to drink and very smooth. This could develop in the coming years to an amazing wine...one to watch.
Paired with lamb shanks
Very interesting wine this. Lots of leather with cassis and a hint of menthol. Very easy to drink and very smooth. This could develop in the coming years to an amazing wine...one to watch.
Paired with lamb shanks
2024/1 with Riojan potato and chorizo stew. Really lovely - strawberry and raspberry, custard tart, smoke, iron - if only there were more producers who still made this style
2024/1 with Riojan potato and chorizo stew. Really lovely - strawberry and raspberry, custard tart, smoke, iron - if only there were more producers who still made this style
Jan 20th, 2024
✔️ Rioja, Spain
✔️ 템프라니요 70%, 가르나쵸 20%, 그라시아노 5%, 마주엘로 5%
✔️ 미듐~딥 가넷 컬러, 리치하지만 부드러운 질감
✔️ 144년 역사를 지닌 대형 오크통에서 발효한 뒤, 충분히 시즈닝된 아메리칸 오크통에서 6년 이상 숙성한 후 병입
✔️ 2시간 이상 브리딩했더니 질감이 부드럽고 향도 잘 느껴졌는데, 2010년 빈티지라 그런지 코 끝에서 과실향보다 얼씨한 삼나무•레더•토바코 향이 먼저 느껴졌고, 입 안에서 잘 익은 플럼•프룬•다크체리 향이 바닐라향과 함께 섞여서 느껴짐
✔️ 피니쉬에 후추•딜•오레가노•정향같은 향신료 꽤 강하게 향이 느껴졌는데, 이런 점이 이탈리아 와인과 달라서 매력적이었음
✔️ 로스트치킨과 먹어도 충분히 맛있었지만, 왠지 소고기나 양고기, 향신료가 강한 육류 요리와 먹어도 정말 잘 어울릴 듯함!
바디감이 단단하지만 질감이 벨벳처럼 부드러워서 넘 맛있게 마셨던 와인
시음적기가 지금부터 2028년까지라고 나와있던데, 기회가 된다면 한 병 더 장만해서 좀 더 숙성한 뒤에 소고기와 마셔보고 싶음
✔️ Rioja, Spain
✔️ 템프라니요 70%, 가르나쵸 20%, 그라시아노 5%, 마주엘로 5%
✔️ 미듐~딥 가넷 컬러, 리치하지만 부드러운 질감
✔️ 144년 역사를 지닌 대형 오크통에서 발효한 뒤, 충분히 시즈닝된 아메리칸 오크통에서 6년 이상 숙성한 후 병입
✔️ 2시간 이상 브리딩했더니 질감이 부드럽고 향도 잘 느껴졌는데, 2010년 빈티지라 그런지 코 끝에서 과실향보다 얼씨한 삼나무•레더•토바코 향이 먼저 느껴졌고, 입 안에서 잘 익은 플럼•프룬•다크체리 향이 바닐라향과 함께 섞여서 느껴짐
✔️ 피니쉬에 후추•딜•오레가노•정향같은 향신료 꽤 강하게 향이 느껴졌는데, 이런 점이 이탈리아 와인과 달라서 매력적이었음
✔️ 로스트치킨과 먹어도 충분히 맛있었지만, 왠지 소고기나 양고기, 향신료가 강한 육류 요리와 먹어도 정말 잘 어울릴 듯함!
바디감이 단단하지만 질감이 벨벳처럼 부드러워서 넘 맛있게 마셨던 와인
시음적기가 지금부터 2028년까지라고 나와있던데, 기회가 된다면 한 병 더 장만해서 좀 더 숙성한 뒤에 소고기와 마셔보고 싶음