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López de Heredia, “Viña Tondonia” Rioja Reserva

Rioja, Spain 1987 (750mL)
$185.00
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Fruit
Earth
Body
Tannin
Acid
Alcohol

López de Heredia, “Viña Tondonia” Rioja Reserva

Every time we offer a classic Rioja, a reference to legendary and world-best López de Heredia must accompany it despite us rarely being able to feature their iconic wines. Truth be told, it’s only happened once before, and that special day came nearly four years ago. Since that time, I’ve savored a few bottles at restaurants and, just recently, tasted a once-in-a-lifetime “Tondonia” vertical stretching back to 1981. Memorable as it was, that just added further fuel to the fire, so I got on the phone with my connection and kept talking until something was lined up. The results of that call lie before you today: a small allocation of 2010 “Viña Tondonia” Rioja Reserva. For nearly 150 years, López de Heredia has been stalwart in their winemaking and passionate about delivering hand-crafted, judiciously aged wines whether it takes five or 25 years. Take today’s 2010 Reserva, for example. It’s considered “aged” by many standards, but not for López de Heredia: This is their current release, having aged six years in American oak and six more in bottle prior to leaving the cellar. I’ve carried a deep appreciation for López de Heredia throughout my career and can confidently say this is traditional Rioja at its very best. Cherish this bottle like the precious gem it is, and hold several for special occasions down the road because its best years of drinking are still to come. Enjoy up to 12 bottles. 

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Country
Spain
Region
Rioja
Sub-Region
Spain
Soil
Clay-Limestone
Blend
Tempranillo 70%, Garnacha 20%, Mazuelo & Graciano 10%
Alcohol
13.0
OAK
Used American Barrels, 10% New
TEMP.
65
Glassware
Burgundy or Bordeaux Stems
Drinking
Now-2040+
Decanting
60+ Minutes
Pairing
Roast Leg of Lamb w/ Anchovy, Garlic & Rosemary

Spain

Eastern Spain

Montsant

The Montsant DO is Priorat’s downslope neighbor in northeastern
Spain, but other than differences in altitude, there isn’t much else to tell their terroirs apart. Both appellations contain some of the world’s greatest old-vine Garnacha (Grenache) in soils of fractured granite and shale known locally as llicorella. It is a Mediterranean climate, with wide diurnal temperature swings.

Eastern Spain

Penedès

Technically, a wine labeled ‘Cava’ can be produced in several different regions, but Penedès, on Spain’s northern Mediterranean coast, is its
spiritual home. The climate is Mediterranean, the soils a favorable mix of limestone (key in pre-serving acids), sand, and clay, and Cava sparklers are crafted in the traditional ‘Champagne’ method. The traditional grapes used for Cava are Xarel-lo (cha-RAY-yo), Macabeu, and Parellada.

Northwestern Spain

Galicia

Galicia is lusher, colder, wetter, and greener than most of the rest of Spain, especially where wine-growing
is concerned. Viticulture up here is some of the most “heroic” in the world, as vineyards cling to impossibly steep slopes along snaking rivers such as the Miño and
the Sil. The influence of the Atlantic Ocean is profound, often lending wines a salty, “sea spray” character.

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