Rioja Gran Reserva, Vina Tondonia, R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia 1991

The 1991 Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva has a wonderful, animally, feral bouquet with oxtail and singed leather. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, a little spicier than other vintages and, for me, not quite displaying the same level of harmony and complexity as the 1994 (as an example). In London, Maria-Jose explicitly pointed out that contrary to belief, there is actually little difference between Reserva and Gran Reserva, and that the latter is not necessarily superior. They are more different expressions of the vintage.