Few wines command such respect as those of Viña Tondonia. Opening a bottle of Viña Tondonia nowadays, especially one of their Grandes Reservas, has a touch of mystique. It’s like making a journey in slow time and in good company back into the past to enjoy the reality of the present; a similar feeling perhaps to what you feel on entering the labyrinth of their cellars, an amazingly impressive underground construction, and a perfect place for resting these wines replete with individuality and authenticity. If Viña Tondonia wines have enjoyed and continue to enjoy great prestige, it is not through mere chance; they have known how to establish and maintain their good name by effort, dedication and perseverance, creating and keeping the winery within their family circle.
But let us focus on the wine and without further ado open one of their Reservas. We can begin by asking ourselves: how many wines of this vintage can we still get hold of today, from Rioja or any other region? It is exceptional and demonstrates this house’s magnificence: only time and resting in the best conditions can ensure enjoyment of a great wine. That unhurried state, that slow evolution..., which makes us associate these ultra special wines with autumn and even winter; they inspire serenity, recollection, silence, as wines for reflection, with that touch of class. So let us indulge in a taste of luxury.
We finally open the bottle and its past is soon confirmed by the ruby red colour, evolved but still intense, now tinged with brick-red on the rim. A fine wine which, when brought close to the nose, utterly charms us with its refinement and subtlety. It releases gentle aromas, of ripe fruit, fresh and extremely pleasant aromas, with no harsh notes; everything is perfectly combined; once again, this is a fine wine. It caresses the palate on entry, yet not a wine to be termed complex, nor having a huge amount of body. However, what it does offer is a wonderful experience: it is an elegant and refined wine, sinewy and fresh, enveloping and balanced. A classic with personality, a classic brimming with life.
NOTE: Viña Tondonia was the house’s first brand name and intrinsically too the main vineyard - a beautiful vineyard covering more than 100 hectares, located on the right bank of the River Ebro, shaping the landscape with alluvial soils, limestone and black poplar trees, which the winery’s founder, Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, planted in 1913-1914 out of a desire for quality assured, starting at the vineyard, where work is carried out manually.
What does this wine taste like?
Light
Bold
Smooth
Tannic
Dry
Sweet
Soft
Acidic
View
Ruby red / Ruby-red rim
Bouquet
Fresh / Cocoa / Polished fine furniture / Sweet spices
Mouth
Dry / Elegant / Rounded / Good acidity / Persistent
Drinking and storing
Serve between 18ºC and 20ºC
Food pairing
Roast lamb, Roast suckling pig, Grilled fish , Foie gras
Wine critics reviewsReviews by Parker and Jancis Robinson
The nose of the 2008 Viña Tondonia Reserva is very elegant, fresh and with an herbal twist, starting to show the complexity of the aged wines that are sometimes still too young when they are released 10+ years from the vintage! The palate is medium-bodied, with lightness and depth, very classical with extra freshness and all that is needed for a long development in bottle. This is the more Tondonia of the two vintages I tasted side by side. There are notes of maple syrup, smoke, licorice and crisp fruit. The palate is more austere, crunchy and reveals the chalkiness of the soils. There's more definition and precision here.
Lovely, glowing, mature deep ruby. Orange rim. Heady and complex – the most complex wine in The Bunch tasting by a mile! So fresh and layered and appetising. Seems silly to even other to write this but it could only be Rioja! So pure!!!! Dry finish but there is enough fruit here.
I bought two cases of this wine because it represents the very essence of Rioja, and the vintage was the second best of the last two decades, after the phenomenal 2001. I want to make sure I have enough bottles to taste for many more years to come. It's elegant, pure and profound, and with sufficient acidity, structure, tannin and concentration to age well and evolve for another 30 years. This is a wine true to its roots and history, unaffected by fashion or taste, and therefore timeless. It exudes true vinous beauty: a nose of sweet spice, fruit and leather, followed by a graceful experience of rich fruit, intense savoury notes, and a long, rich, rounded finish of tobacco, vanilla and gentle oak perfectly held together by a firm acidity. This will gain significant complexity over timie. Fantastic - a true classic. And at a brilliant price at Vinissumus.
by: Nabokov (29/03/2019) - Vintage 2006
These guys never fail
I was surprised to discover than the 2006 Tondonia Reserva Tinto was even better than the 2004 and 2005, which are supposed to be better vintages. As I write I am having the last sips of a bottle I had over tow days, and those sips have been the best. I am just sorry I din't keep some for tomorrow. It is more tannic than usual, despite being 13 years old, and still developing. I am sure that it will last at least another ten years if not more. Is complex, with dry strawberry, pomegranate, tamarind, orange peel, old mahogany and what I can only describe as... old books. I just hope I can have the Gran Reserva when it eventually come out. Splendid.
by: Xpis7os (03/05/2017) - Vintage 2004
Value for money for a Reserva of 2004
I write this note at the second day of drinking this Rioja. Half bottle remained vacuumed one day in my cellar and the second day was much nicer than the first drink. It presented all aromas and palate notes, some of which were not present the first day. Meaning that it needs much more than 30 minutes decanting, which I did the first day. It is a very smooth and balanced wine. Litle lighter than expected with medium body and not very strong wood and earthy notes expected from a 2004 Reserva. But is very easy drinkable and goes with not heavy meals. If you compare price and guilty, then it;s value for money...
by: JONG WON LEE #WL582 (14 Jul) - Vintage 2008
Classic, well matured wine from Rioja
This is one of more rustic style of wines that come from Rioja. Well-integrated oak flavor makes perfect balance with fruitness, giving firm structure and long-lasting tasting experience. As older wines typically do, this wine doesn't really tell you much about itself from the moment it is opened. However, there is undeniable elegance showing up as it breathes in the glass. If you are looking for a bottle of decent aged wine with softness and complexity, go for it!
Bodegas R. López de Heredia is my favourite producer from Rioja. Their uncompromised approach to wine making lets us to enjoy great old-school Riojan wines with modest price. I will always make sure that I have at least couple Vina Tondonia's stashed in my cellar. Ready to drink on release but keeps improving at least for couple years.
Wine making
Vinification material
Wood
Ageing period
72 months
Barrel age
Used
Type of wood
American oak
Clarification and filtration
Unfiltered
Vineyards
Vine age
100 years
Soil
Calcareous-clay / Gravel surface
Climate
Atlantic
Yields
Low yields
The winery
Viña Tondonia Bodegas R. López de Heredia
Founded by Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta at the end of the 19th Century, R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia is still today a single-family winery, where the four generations that took the helm have carried on the philosophy, working practices and social maxims introduced by the founder.
R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia is also these days one of the names commanding most respect and admiration amongst wineries producing “fine...
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