R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend
In an awkward spot that suffers by comparison to an amazing mosel troken. Has much that’s delicious, but the taut, stony tertiary flavors are incipient not quite showy.
In an awkward spot that suffers by comparison to an amazing mosel troken. Has much that’s delicious, but the taut, stony tertiary flavors are incipient not quite showy.
Jan 13th, 2025Such 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, 2022This 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, 2022Very 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, 2022Spritely Rioja with excellent length. This was a fun little half bottle. Always a treat from Heredia!
Spritely Rioja with excellent length. This was a fun little half bottle. Always a treat from Heredia!
Dec 29th, 2024Very 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, 2024Starts 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, 2024Very 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