R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend
La Rioja Alta, La Rioja, Spain
1994. Funkier than a mosquito's tweeter for the first 15-20 minutes. And then boom!!!...nothin but love.
1994. Funkier than a mosquito's tweeter for the first 15-20 minutes. And then boom!!!...nothin but love.
5 people found it helpfulMay 25th, 2015
Like great old burgundy...beautiful
Like great old burgundy...beautiful
4 people found it helpfulMar 22nd, 2014
So fresh and young, some fruit and some dust and everything in between
So fresh and young, some fruit and some dust and everything in between
3 people found it helpfulSep 14th, 2014
Aged Rioja at its absolute finest
Aged Rioja at its absolute finest
1 person found it helpfulJun 29th, 2025
Soft and supple. A touch of vanilla. Very pure and focused. Light and fresh
Soft and supple. A touch of vanilla. Very pure and focused. Light and fresh
1 person found it helpfulJun 11th, 2025
Very light and classy. Orange peel, roses, plum, tangy violet. Intense but light and a very pure. Long finish. Excellent (bottle pictured from library, not the one I drank)
Very light and classy. Orange peel, roses, plum, tangy violet. Intense but light and a very pure. Long finish. Excellent (bottle pictured from library, not the one I drank)
1 person found it helpfulApr 25th, 2025
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…
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…
1 person found it helpfulJan 14th, 2025
The 2012 vintage really showcases the brilliance of López de Heredia in a challenging, dry year. Deep garnet with brick hues at the rim; lovely aromas of red cherries and red currants, coffee, spiced cedar, leather, and light oak on the nose; great red and black fruit on the palate, plus earthy notes, dried herbs, and silky and well integrated tannins; and a long, elegant finish with a perfect balance of fruit and acids.
Enjoyed with spanish charcuteries and danish cheeses - and Tchaikovsky’s 6th with Teodor Currentzis.
The 2012 vintage really showcases the brilliance of López de Heredia in a challenging, dry year. Deep garnet with brick hues at the rim; lovely aromas of red cherries and red currants, coffee, spiced cedar, leather, and light oak on the nose; great red and black fruit on the palate, plus earthy notes, dried herbs, and silky and well integrated tannins; and a long, elegant finish with a perfect balance of fruit and acids.
Enjoyed with spanish charcuteries and danish cheeses - and Tchaikovsky’s 6th with Teodor Currentzis.






