Region | |
---|---|
Subregion | Spain > Rioja |
Colour | Red |
Type | Still |
View all vintages of this wine | View all wines by R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia
The red flagship 2006 Viña Tondonia Reserva was inspired by the vineyards of the Médoc but produced with local grapes, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, which achieved 13% alcohol in 2006. It always matures in used American oak barriques for some six years. The oldest of all the reds I tasted, it was also the one with more freshness, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. This takes the lion's share of the 400,000 bottles the winery produces, with some 220,000 bottles filled over a period of 12 consecutive days in May 2014. Drink 2018 - 2028.
This is a remarkably lively wine for a 12-year-old Rioja with notes of licorice and dried cherries and a very elegant tannin structure that runs through the medium to full body of this red like a silk thread. The dry finish is long and polished. Drink or hold.
One for the purists, the 2006 Tondonia Reserva offers a classic nose of leather, dried berries, wild strawberries and tobacco. The palate is silky smooth, with tannins that have melted into the core of the wine leaving redolent bramble fruits to harmonise with the bright acidity. Through the mid-palate the notes of maturity build, with dried fruits, leather, nutmeg and clove coming through. The finish is still bright, with fruit and earth melding together. This wine is already drinking well, but it will continue to evolve and improve in bottle.