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B-21 Top Recommendation
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“Powerful, with the finesse of Tondonia”
Luis Gutierrez, Wine Advocate
Declared “the poster child for traditional Rioja winemaking” by Vinous critic Josh Raynolds, Rioja lovers and collectors know Lopez de Heredia as one of the region’s top producers of age worthy Rioja, the powerful 95 pt. 2011 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva offering dark, ripe spiced fruit and muscular, well integrated tannins released ready to enjoy over the next decade or more, reaffirming the Bodega's reign as the top producer of traditionally styled Rioja and incredibly priced to over deliver value.
Located in the town of Haro in a region defined by its historic estates, the tradition-bound Lopez de Heredia has remained relatively unchanged for the nearly 150 years since its founding, releasing their Riojas only when deemed ready after a decade or longer of aging in their legendary vaulted cellars. Accessed through a labyrinth of underground corridors and staircases, some dating back over a century, the massive mold and cobweb-laced cellars of Lopez de Heredia stretch over the length of two football fields, home to well-aged oak vats ranging from 60 up to 640 hectoliters (nearly 17,000 gallons) that are the "secret sauce" of their wines. Pioneering the single vineyard wine in the region, the traditions of Lopez de Heredia are continued by fourth generation Maria Jose Lopez de Heredia, the estate manager described as “a force of nature” by the Wine Spectator’s Gillian Sciaretta, and her sister Mercedes who leads the winemaking. A rarity in Rioja, Lopez de Heredia uses only estate bottled fruit from their own vineyards, sourcing the 2011 Vina Tondonia Reserva from the spectacular 100 plus hectare vineyard of the same name, situated in a shell-like depression next to the river Ebro along the border of Rioja Alavesa and planted with Tempranillo vines averaging over 40 years of age with some over 100 years. After co-fermenting the blend of mostly Tempranillo with Garnacha and small amounts of Graciano and Mazuelo, the robust 2011 Tondonia Reserva was aged for six years in custom crafted American oak barrels, half of which were seasoned for over 10 years, exerting a nuanced, integrated influence of oak before being bottled unfiltered and undergoing the extended aging that is key to their signature style, enhancing aromas and smoothing tannins.
Described as “one of Rioja’s most proudly traditional wines” by critic Tim Atkin and epitomizing “timeless, artisan winemaking” according to Vinous critic Neal Martin, Rioja lovers and collectors of age worthy Spanish reds know to stock up on the classically styled 95 pt. 2011 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva and enjoy this expertly crafted Rioja over the next decade and beyond, a worthy testament to the timeless practices of this renowned estate and an equally impressive value. |
95JS
94WA
93WS #53 Top 100
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A traditional beauty that effuses iron, warm earth and savory tobacco leaves, together with plums, spices and orange zest. This is juicy and still tight, with firm but savory tannins. Medium-weight and quite zesty in texture, as is the case with the other López de Heredia reds tasted this session. Drink now or hold.
95 points, James Suckling (Sep 2022)
The 2011 Viña Tondonia Reserva is darker and shows riper fruit, a rounder palate and some dusty tannins. A year of ripeness, concentration and tannin, the wine is powerful with the finesse of Tondonia. Tasting this next to the textbook 2010 Tondonia revealed how this has more muscle and a wider back and the 2010 epitomizes the finesse and elegance. 270,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2019.
94 points, Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate (Jul 2022)
Richly savory on the nose, this fresh, sinewy red features a minerally underpinning of petrol, earth, iron and salt to the flavors of juicy dried cherry and cranberry, red licorice and mandarin orange peel. Opens nicely in the glass and on the palate, with the persistent finish showing aromatic herbs and spices, plus more mineral notes. Tempranillo, Garnacho, Graciano and Mazuelo. Drink now through 2031. 19,166 cases made, 4,500 cases imported.
93 points, Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator (Mar 2024)
#53 - Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2024
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