López de Heredia ‘Viña Tondonia’ Reserva 2012

96 POINTS: James Suckling
95 POINTS: Vinous Media
95 POINTS: Tim Atkin MW
95 POINTS: Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate

“The 2012 Viña Tondonia Reserva comes from a very dry year, with 25% less rain than the average (at the time), resulting in lower yields of very healthy grapes that delivered wines with nice balance between alcohol and polyphenols, making it very apt for the aging in barrel. It had a slightly longer élevage in barrel, six years. The wine is aromatic with a developed profile, spicy and tertiary (forest floor, a touch of brick dust and iodine), complex and nuanced. The palate is full and round, with polished tannins and a long, dry finish. It has a textbook Tondonia nose and profile. 250,000 bottles produced. Drink 2025-2035.”
- Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate

López de Heredia is “one of the last great bastions of Rioja tradition” (Hugh Johnson). As Luis Gutiérrez writes on erobertparker.com, “visiting the winery is like time travelling to 100 years ago, with no stainless steel or new oak to be found anywhere”. All their wines are named after different plots on the estate. From a year of "powerful, concentrated wines of good quality" (Jancis Robinson), Tondonia Reserva comprises mainly Tempranillo, plus portions of Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo, all aged for six years in barrels, then bottled unfiltered for maximum flavour. It’s a wine of great complexity with a savoury aroma of spice, leather, intense berry and cigar box. The palate is remarkably fresh and long. Decant early and savour slowly.