R. López de Heredia
Viña Tondonia Rioja Rosé Blend
La Rioja Alta, La Rioja, Spain
Farmers market visit this morning dictated this after finding some decent Heirlooms awaiting my organic garden ones and deserving after cleaning the damn gutters all afternoon. .
Like this Rosé quite a lot. The price for it, not so much. But, worth it once in a while and this one has been laying down a number of years, so… If you haven’t had a good Tempranillo Rosé worth acquiring.
I like it as it is not overtly sweet like many Bandol’s & Californians.
The nose shows; blood orange, not quite ripe tangerine, baked rhubarb, strawberries, red not dark cherries, ripe, yellow peach with skin, hints of watermelon at the rind, limestone marl with orange & red flowers.
The palate shows nice viscosity. Blood orange with peel, not quite ripe tangerine, baked rhubarb, strawberries, red not dark cherries, ripe, yellow peach with skin, hints of watermelon at the rind, touch of pink grapefruit, something in between Cointreau & Grand Marnier, sun tea, very soft chalk & white spice, limestone marl with orange & red flowers, rainfall acidity, nicely knitted, a fair amount of tension for an aged Rosé, excellent balance & structured with a smartly polished, elegant, lush finish that lasts nearly two- minutes.
This 2010 is in high cotton and not slowing down. Another 8-10 years with maybe more. Leans into 95.
Pairing; Organic Heirloom tomatoes grown in a greenhouse topped w/ di Stefano Burrata, Spanish Ricon Subbetica Olive Oil, Tondo Balsamic Vinegar (the best period), organic fresh basil, Companion Simple Sourdough Crustini’s.
Farmers market visit this morning dictated this after finding some decent Heirlooms awaiting my organic garden ones and deserving after cleaning the damn gutters all afternoon. .
Like this Rosé quite a lot. The price for it, not so much. But, worth it once in a while and this one has been laying down a number of years, so… If you haven’t had a good Tempranillo Rosé worth acquiring.
I like it as it is not overtly sweet like many Bandol’s & Californians.
The nose shows; blood orange, not quite ripe tangerine, baked rhubarb, strawberries, red not dark cherries, ripe, yellow peach with skin, hints of watermelon at the rind, limestone marl with orange & red flowers.
The palate shows nice viscosity. Blood orange with peel, not quite ripe tangerine, baked rhubarb, strawberries, red not dark cherries, ripe, yellow peach with skin, hints of watermelon at the rind, touch of pink grapefruit, something in between Cointreau & Grand Marnier, sun tea, very soft chalk & white spice, limestone marl with orange & red flowers, rainfall acidity, nicely knitted, a fair amount of tension for an aged Rosé, excellent balance & structured with a smartly polished, elegant, lush finish that lasts nearly two- minutes.
This 2010 is in high cotton and not slowing down. Another 8-10 years with maybe more. Leans into 95.
Pairing; Organic Heirloom tomatoes grown in a greenhouse topped w/ di Stefano Burrata, Spanish Ricon Subbetica Olive Oil, Tondo Balsamic Vinegar (the best period), organic fresh basil, Companion Simple Sourdough Crustini’s.
Popped and poured into a porron. The ultimate baller birthday move. The 2010 Rosado pours a rose gold color; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. Some slight signs of sediment in the bottle. On the nose the wine is developing with notes of red cherry, blood orange, grapefruit, apricot, nuts, dried flowers and just a hint of lightly toasted coconut. On the palate, the wine is dry with low tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with remarkable, creamy texture and substantial (but not overbearing) weight. To my palate, this has hardly aged since my last experience in 2021. If anything, it has only gained in character and significance. World class is every sense of the term. Drink now through 2035. Thank you for the birthday bottle Matt!
Popped and poured into a porron. The ultimate baller birthday move. The 2010 Rosado pours a rose gold color; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. Some slight signs of sediment in the bottle. On the nose the wine is developing with notes of red cherry, blood orange, grapefruit, apricot, nuts, dried flowers and just a hint of lightly toasted coconut. On the palate, the wine is dry with low tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long with remarkable, creamy texture and substantial (but not overbearing) weight. To my palate, this has hardly aged since my last experience in 2021. If anything, it has only gained in character and significance. World class is every sense of the term. Drink now through 2035. Thank you for the birthday bottle Matt!
May 13th, 2024
Vintage 2010 | autumn leaves, stewed pear, cinnamon, nice bitters
Vintage 2010 | autumn leaves, stewed pear, cinnamon, nice bitters
Oct 17th, 2023
What a treat! Tangerine, burnt orange peel, caramel, and wet dog. Sherry characteristics.
Absolutely one of a kind. Seems to have plenty of gas left in the tank.
What a treat! Tangerine, burnt orange peel, caramel, and wet dog. Sherry characteristics.
Absolutely one of a kind. Seems to have plenty of gas left in the tank.
All kinds of stuff going on from fresh berries to oxidative sherry notes to orange peel, nuts, hibiscus…just one of the world’s great roses. Highly savory and perfect for the winter table
All kinds of stuff going on from fresh berries to oxidative sherry notes to orange peel, nuts, hibiscus…just one of the world’s great roses. Highly savory and perfect for the winter table
Feb 28th, 2023
Never gets old. A favorite of mine.
Never gets old. A favorite of mine.
Aug 10th, 2022
My first bottle of this inimitable rosé and what a weirdo it was (in a good way of course). The nose reminded me of a cross between fino sherry, blanc de noir, and riesling - nuts, herbs, spices, dried strawberries, granny smith apple, orange peel, peach, petrol, and damp wood. Gosh, it's mind-boggling. The fino sherry theme continued on the palate, with a distinct salinity and steeliness that's steady and regular from start to end. The texture is silky, and finish crescendo-like, built on citrus freshness, red berried flavours, and salted fruit skin preserves. It just keeps gaining complexity as the night progressed, and would be interesting to see with an overnight slow-ox. Unfortunately, it paired incredibly well with some fried chicken that showed up on the table, so it was deemed gone. A one on the binary scale!
My first bottle of this inimitable rosé and what a weirdo it was (in a good way of course). The nose reminded me of a cross between fino sherry, blanc de noir, and riesling - nuts, herbs, spices, dried strawberries, granny smith apple, orange peel, peach, petrol, and damp wood. Gosh, it's mind-boggling. The fino sherry theme continued on the palate, with a distinct salinity and steeliness that's steady and regular from start to end. The texture is silky, and finish crescendo-like, built on citrus freshness, red berried flavours, and salted fruit skin preserves. It just keeps gaining complexity as the night progressed, and would be interesting to see with an overnight slow-ox. Unfortunately, it paired incredibly well with some fried chicken that showed up on the table, so it was deemed gone. A one on the binary scale!
Apr 18th, 2022
All bow to our host who broke out the big guns for a spicy cod meal he prepared. As the only wine I’ve ever witnessed such grotesque price appreciation (from 20 to 100, within a five year span?), it’s hard not to project all kinds of feelings & opinions about it. Still, it remains a wine of reflection & complexity, not to mention of a unique deep copper color I’ve always adored. Such waves of strange & wonderful flavors, including dried hibiscus, turmeric, licorice & porcini mushrooms. Moderate acidity, like an elegant aunt who dresses just right. And still young, within the Lopez universe.
All bow to our host who broke out the big guns for a spicy cod meal he prepared. As the only wine I’ve ever witnessed such grotesque price appreciation (from 20 to 100, within a five year span?), it’s hard not to project all kinds of feelings & opinions about it. Still, it remains a wine of reflection & complexity, not to mention of a unique deep copper color I’ve always adored. Such waves of strange & wonderful flavors, including dried hibiscus, turmeric, licorice & porcini mushrooms. Moderate acidity, like an elegant aunt who dresses just right. And still young, within the Lopez universe.
Mar 16th, 2022