Jay Kline

9.7

Poured into a decanter maybe an hour prior to service. The 1970 Tondonia Gran Reserva pours a garnet color with a transparent core, moving towards a slightly orange rim. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and absolutely brilliant with a mix of desiccated and ripe fruits: dried Morello and Montmorency cherry, cocoa powder, mushrooms, old leather bound books, an entire cabinet full of dried herbs and spices, a memory of barnyard and a deciduous forest floor. On the palate, the wine is dry with good structure still: medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and makes me believe there is something bigger than us in this life. This bottle, on this afternoon, gives the confidence to embrace the mystery. Drink now with an hour of air but I get the sense this is one of those Energizer Bunny wines… — 11 days ago

Jae Cho

9.1

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. — 11 days ago

Riccardo L.

9.0

Always a banger but lost to a 2016 reserva in a blind taste. Probably because this vintage scored 90, while that one was a 94. Doesn’t make this any less of a super star though. Great wine, great house. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2020 Reserva pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart dark fruits: blackberry, black cherry, toasted coconut, dill, vanilla, wood, and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Already balanced but the oak is playing a significant role at this stage (this is traditionally made Rioja Reserva we’re talking about). There is plenty of stuffing however and I expect this will become even more balanced with some time on its side. Want to see a wine under $20 that can age for 30 years? Welp, here you go. Drink now through 2050. — a day ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium lemon yellow . Quite high toned , with nutty orange and lemon rind , dried apricot , touch of resin and toasty almonds . On the palate quite rounded with dried orange rind , lemon pith , and toasted almonds finish . High acidity and lots of extract . This is drinking well but will continue at this level for perhaps another 5-10 years . Lots of life yet . — 5 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2008 | Reliable old school Rioja, well balanced with vanilla, mocca, cedar — 12 days ago

Brian Hearty

9.3

2015. Wasn’t sure what to pair with this delicious Filipino rice dish with longanisa, chicken, and cumin crab fat butter (likely a wide range of whites, rosés, and lighter reds would work well), but I wanted to try this Spanish Crianza and it was wonderful! The fruit flavors were enough to complement the sweet sausage and the smooth tannins cut through the richness without intensifying the spice. — 8 days ago

Abbas Zand

9.6

Exotic red fruit notes. Red and black raspberry w exotic spice, earthy flavors. A lot of nice Oak influence. Very nice balance. Quite a lot of tannins. Can use more time in the bottle, but, already delicious.
Fantastic Rioja wine. Love it.
$26 — 8 days ago

Riccardo L.

9.3

This really over performs, considering it’s just a reserva. Might go down as one of the richest and flavourful riojas I’ve ever had. Absolutely delicious wine. Lots of oak and red fruit. Vibrant. Alive. — 4 days ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.3

Coffee, butterscotch and caramel nose. Old woods, cedar complex and evolved — 7 days ago