Lopez de Heredia - Rioja Viņa Tondonia Reserva 2001

Lopez de Heredia, one of the most venerable producers in Spain, produces traditional, age-worthy Rioja. Their wines are legendary and still made the way they were when the winery was founded over 130 years ago. Following a tradition that has been passed down through generations, their wines are released at least 5-10 years after harvest, which provides added complexity and elegance to their Crianzas and Gran Reservas. 

A rarity in Rioja, Lopez de Heredia uses only estate bottled fruit from their prized vineyards: Tondonia, Cubillo, Bosconia, and Zaconia; with the idea that the only way to get the best fruit is to care for the vines themselves. 

 María José López de Heredia and her family are custodians of a remarkable way of living in the wine world, resisting the pressures to do things differently and to release their wines before their time. This remains the most Recent Gran reserva following on the from the 1995. Take time to appreciate its qualities in the glass: the youthful aspect; the medium body; the layers of red fruits and mature tannins. Nothing to suggest this is already 21 years old. It's clear that it has many majestic years ahead. (SE)

I had the chance to taste a bottle of the 2001 Viña Tondonia Reserva 10 years after it was released, and the wine has evolved beautifully and quite slowly—at least that is the case for these bottles that have been kept in the winery for all these years. It's austere and elegant, with balance and concentration, polished tannins and a chalky texture, long tasty and dry. This is lively and should continue developing in bottle for quite some time... (LG) 96+