2012 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Region | Rioja |
| Appellation | Rioja Alta |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2035 |
- Buy 6 for 40.95 33.84 each and save 6%
Description
Lopez de Heredia really needs no introduction. The vineyards are located on the right bank of the Ebro River in Haro (Rioja Alta). The Tondonia is still made in a traditional way where fermentation of the must with skins is done in large oak barrels of 240 liters for about 7 days. The second fermentation takes place in Bordeaux barrels and is relatively long (up to six months). The wine then matures for more than 6 years in used French oak, after which it is bottle-aged for a few more years before the Tondonia comes on the market. The Vina Tondonia Reserve is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 10% Mazuelo and Graciano. Tondonia makes a very authentic and, in the best sense of the word, an old-fashioned Rioja and can be called unique in terms of style. After the wine has been exposed to a large portion of oxygen, a beautiful palette of scents unfolds in which cherries, leather and cigar are the first to emerge. The wine is medium bodied and has the typical tondonia oxidative (pleasant) tone and the taste is beautiful and balanced.
What makes Tondonia unique is the very long maturation in old oak (they employ their own tonneliers) before being marketed after several years of bottle maturation. These are wines that can mature for a very long time and have nothing to do with modern wines matured in French oak. The 2011 vintage has been rated EXCELLENT by the Appellation.
94/100 Parker
95/100 James Suckling
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Appellation | Rioja Alta |
| Winery | Lopez De Heredia |
| Grape | Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Tempranillo |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2035 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | Tier Price |
| Parker rating | 95 |
| Vinous rating | 95 |
| Tasting Profiles | Earthy, Dry, Aged on wood, Powerful, Spicy, Red fruit, Flexible, Full |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Cadeau!, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
Wijnhuis
It all started in the 19th century when French negotiators visited the Rioja region to find good grapes that they could use to produce wine and the founder of the winery López de Heredia, Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, took the vineyards of the French. Soon Rafael fell in love with the area and found that the climate and soil was perfect for making quality wine. He started making the López de Heredia winery in Haro in 1877. López de Heredia is a winery where the owners really care about their estate and give a lot of attention to the vineyards and this is also reflected in the wines.
In the town of Haro, the López de Heredia Viña Tondonia is the oldest winery in the city and one of the first four wineries in La Rioja. The strategic location of the vineyards, the exceptional quality of the plantations and the varieties used, which are perfectly complemented by a special architecture, ensure that these wines are of a high level and are among the best wines from the Rioja. The wines are real icons of Spanish wine growing.
The most famous and best vineyard of López de Heredia is called Tondonia and it is located on the bank of the river Ebra, where several good vineyards are located. Tondonia is about 100 hectares in size and has got its name from the term for the meander (bend) at the river Ebro in which Tondonia is located: Tondon. Besides Tondonia, Lopez de Heredia also has three other vineyards in the Rioja Alta area, namely: The Viña Cubillo, Viña Bosconia and the Viña Gravonia.