1977 R. López de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva

The rare 1977 Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva was only released as part of a box set to celebrate the winery's 125th anniversary in 2002 and with a different and unusual label. It was not a great vintage in Rioja, but they selected it because it was the vintage of their 100th anniversary that had never been released. María José López de Heredia told me it was not a great vintage but apparently some bottles show really well. The one I had was austere and narrow, with a note of iron and blood, reminiscent of rusty nails. It's medium-bodied, sharp with polished tannins and an earthy austerity.