R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend
La Rioja Alta, La Rioja, Spain
Popped and poured; consumed over two days. My second time enjoying the 1995 Gran Reserva (the most recent release from LdH). The wine pours garnet with a translucent core accompanied by some fine sediment and a slightly watery rim. Medium viscosity. On the nose, high intensity and seems to have some VA. There’s also a little bit of the funk too. Highly perfumed with cherry, red rope licorice, balsamic, cumin, horse saddle, dill, and iron rich earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium++ acid. Tart cherries and again with the red rope licorice. Also, there are blackberries and plums, buzz buttons, iron, tomato, leather, olives and exotic spices. Long, savory finish. Despite being 26 years from vintage, the wine comes across super bright and fresh. Just lovely.
Popped and poured; consumed over two days. My second time enjoying the 1995 Gran Reserva (the most recent release from LdH). The wine pours garnet with a translucent core accompanied by some fine sediment and a slightly watery rim. Medium viscosity. On the nose, high intensity and seems to have some VA. There’s also a little bit of the funk too. Highly perfumed with cherry, red rope licorice, balsamic, cumin, horse saddle, dill, and iron rich earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium++ acid. Tart cherries and again with the red rope licorice. Also, there are blackberries and plums, buzz buttons, iron, tomato, leather, olives and exotic spices. Long, savory finish. Despite being 26 years from vintage, the wine comes across super bright and fresh. Just lovely.
Nov 28th, 2021Decanted about an hour prior. A positively gorgeous wine that just seemed to get better the longer it sat; gaining power and expressing more and more life. VA on the nose; to be expected. Dark cherry fruit, leather, mushrooms, kalamata olives. Unbelievably fresh. Winner.
Decanted about an hour prior. A positively gorgeous wine that just seemed to get better the longer it sat; gaining power and expressing more and more life. VA on the nose; to be expected. Dark cherry fruit, leather, mushrooms, kalamata olives. Unbelievably fresh. Winner.
1 person found it helpfulJun 12th, 2019
A baby. It started kicking and screaming 30-40 minutes in. Plush structure with weighted tart fruit, fresh herb and fall spices. Healthy dose of earth and balanced oak influence. It's unfair to compare this to Burgundy in terms of length and complexity, which it matches without doubt, but deservedly should stand alone as a unique traditional voice in Rioja. And still yet it should be of the highest compliment.
A baby. It started kicking and screaming 30-40 minutes in. Plush structure with weighted tart fruit, fresh herb and fall spices. Healthy dose of earth and balanced oak influence. It's unfair to compare this to Burgundy in terms of length and complexity, which it matches without doubt, but deservedly should stand alone as a unique traditional voice in Rioja. And still yet it should be of the highest compliment.
1 person found it helpfulAug 6th, 2017
A blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 10% Mazuelo and Graciano, and aged for 10 Years in old American oak barrels! Wow!! The 1995 is the current release, and the bottle is sealed with red wax! Light Ruby with complex aromas of red fruit, spices and smoke. On the palate cherry flavors with herb spice, vanilla, smoky oak, leather and hints of pepper. Well balanced with smooth tannins and a long lingering finish ending with earthy spice tones. Very Nice, something really special!
A blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and 10% Mazuelo and Graciano, and aged for 10 Years in old American oak barrels! Wow!! The 1995 is the current release, and the bottle is sealed with red wax! Light Ruby with complex aromas of red fruit, spices and smoke. On the palate cherry flavors with herb spice, vanilla, smoky oak, leather and hints of pepper. Well balanced with smooth tannins and a long lingering finish ending with earthy spice tones. Very Nice, something really special!
1 person found it helpfulFeb 24th, 2017
elegant. old and graceful.
elegant. old and graceful.
1 person found it helpfulJan 3rd, 2017
Excellent complexity with strong notes of forest floor, wet leaves, leather and dried red fruits with a nice long finish
Excellent complexity with strong notes of forest floor, wet leaves, leather and dried red fruits with a nice long finish
Apr 23rd, 2017
Light body, resolved tannins, still vibrant. Complex palate with dried fruits, sweet oak, earth, and funk. Good, but like the last bottle, a bit sour.
Light body, resolved tannins, still vibrant. Complex palate with dried fruits, sweet oak, earth, and funk. Good, but like the last bottle, a bit sour.
Oct 8th, 2022
Perfectly balanced, tannins are fully integrated with mature sous bois nose and tons of fruit and energy still in the glass
Perfectly balanced, tannins are fully integrated with mature sous bois nose and tons of fruit and energy still in the glass
Feb 14th, 2021