López de Heredia ‘Viña Tondonia’ Reserva 2009

97 POINTS: James Suckling 
95 POINTS: John Gillman – View from the cellar

“Sweet berries, cherries, cedar and dried flowers on the nose. Some lemon and lime zest, too! Medium-to full-bodied with tight, integrated tannins that show wonderful length and reserve. So fresh and vivid. Lots of energy. A wonderful, classic wine. Drink or hold.”
- James Suckling

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.