Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva 2011
- js95
- wa94
Category | Red Wine |
Varietals | |
Brand | Lopez de Heredia |
Origin | Spain, Rioja |
Don Rafael López de Heredia acquired the Tondonia vineyard from a group of clergy in 1913. Situated on the right bank of the river Ebro, in Rioja Alta, it stretches over 247 acres; the soil is alluvial clay with a high proportion of limestone. There are 4 varieties of red grapes planted in this vineyard—Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano and Garnacha—as well as a few acres of white grapes (Viura and Malvasia) planted in the whitest soils, from which R. López de Heredia makes their Tondonia Blanco. All of the vines at Lopez de Heredia are also farmed organically.
For over 130 years, Lopez de Heredia has produced traditional, age-worthy, 100% estate bottled Rioja wines of Spain. Their wines are legendary and still made in a very traditional manner from their prized vineyards- Tondonia, Cubillo, Bosconia, and Zaconia. Their wines are also released later than most other Rioja wines, at least 5-10 years after harvest, providing added complexity and elegance to their Crianzas and Gran Reservas.
James Suckling
- js95
A traditional beauty that effuses iron, warm earth and savory tobacco leaves, together with plums, spices and orange zest. This is juicy and still tight, with firm but savory tannins. Medium-weight and quite zesty in texture, as is the case with the other López de Heredia reds tasted this session. Drink now or hold.
Wine Advocate
- wa94
The 2011 Viña Tondonia Reserva is darker and shows riper fruit, a rounder palate and some dusty tannins. A year of ripeness, concentration and tannin, the wine is powerful with the finesse of Tondonia. Tasting this next to the textbook 2010 Tondonia revealed how this has more muscle and a wider back and the 2010 epitomizes the finesse and elegance.
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js91James Suckling
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