In The Cellar
Viña Tondonia Tinto Reserva is the fullest expression of the philosophy of R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia and is made using artisanal methods: grapes selected from the winery’s own vineyards, fermentation in wooden vats, a very long 6-year stint in barrels, twice-yearly racking, clarification with fresh egg whites, and bottling without filtering.
In The Vineyard
The 2011 vintage, like 2010, was classified by the Rioja DOCa as ‘excellent’. Marked, once again, by a very low rainfall (25% lower than ‘normal’ for the region), the vintage was also notable for the high temperatures in September and October which resulted in López de Heredia starting to pick Tempranillo on 26th September, a full week earlier than in 2010, finishing with Graciano and Mazuelo on 13th October. The finished results were once again, exceptional. Viña Tondonia Reserva 2011 is a superb wine made with great patience. It’s designed from a blend of Tempranillo (70%), Garnacha (20%), and Graciano and Mazuelo (10%) grapes from the firm’s most iconic vineyard (Viña Tondonia).
The 2011 Vina Tondonia shows the ripeness and power of the vintage, expressed through delicious fruit concentration and ripe, sweet, structured tannins. But the 2011 is also every bit as classical and “typically Vina Tondonia” in character boasting an expressive perfumed aromatics of pink musk, potpourri, sappy red fruits, raspberries, earthy strawberries and small black berry fruits that combine with hints of tilled earth, tannery leather and savoury notes of cured meats and freshly sliced jamón. On the palate there is plenty of muscle and intensity with a powerful frame of tannin and citrus acid structure expertly cloaked in complex layers of red currant, bramble berry and raspberry fruit concentration. Broad shouldered and beautifully succulent, the elegant palate finishes with delicate nuances of red cherries, cherry choc liquor and a blood orange persistence. A vintage to drink slightly earlier than the 2010 Reservas perhaps, but one nonetheless with huge staying power and cellaring potential. Drink now and over the next 15 to 20+ years.
(95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)
