2010 R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
There are few wines that offer as much value as those from López de Heredia – and its Reserva Tinto is a benchmark for the region. The 2010 sings with balsamic richness, macerated strawberries, cedar, tobacco, leather and sous-bois with baking spice. While the aromas are all about savoury evolution, there’s still a brightness on the palate – with long, lush, juicy strawberry and bramble fruit to complement the mushroom, forest floor and spice that fills the finish. With a modest 13% alcohol, the wine’s ripe tannins are beautifully integrated from its six years in oak and subsequent botte age, while the mouthwatering acidity makes for a gorgeously food friendly wine. Delicious now, this will continue to evolve over the next decade.
Critic scores
The Wine Advocate
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Thankfully, the 2010 Rosado Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva from R. Lopez de Heredia is an obvious choice at a decent price. It’s a wonderful Rioja, blackcurrant, orange rind and white flowers on a nose that is lighter and more elegant than other vintages. Again, the palate is comparatively light and breezy, with fine-boned tannins, dark cherries and blackberry fruit. It is pretty linear and almost conservative in style. But it’s just delicious, and the simplicity of the food means that it acts as the perfect foil. (NM)
Viña Tondonia has over 100 hectares on the right bank of the River Ebro comprising 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Graciano and Mazuelo. Vines are between 438 and 489 m in elevation. The wine is matured for six years in used American Appalachian oak barrels. Mid bricky red. Classic traditional Rioja aroma: sweet senescent fruit, undergrowth, polished wood, dried fruits, almost nutty. Smooth, smooth tannins still have a very gentle friction, giving it shape and further longevity. Scented with age and red-fruit and old-oak sweetness. Extremely long and silky on the finish. Impossible not to love this wine. (JH)
Subtly oxidative and old-style, with refined, lactic notes of Parmesan cheese and hints of white nuts and honey to the sliced dried-lemon character. Very bright, tangy and flavorful, with astonishing freshness on the palate. Slightly chewy and very long.