López de Heredia is one of Spain’s most historic addresses, virtually unchanged for nearly 150 years and renowned for an uncompromisingly traditional style of Rioja. For decades, the wines have also been among the greatest values in Old World red wine, achieving a level of quality, complexity, and longevity that continues to stun at their price point. The newly released 2014 Viña Tondonia Reserva is another sensational effort from this favorite Spanish estate, produced from 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, with the balance of Mazuelo and Graciano, all grown in the historic Viña Tondonia vineyard along the Ebro River. True to the house style, the wine receives an extraordinarily long élevage in well-seasoned American oak before extended bottle aging at the domaine, meaning very few producers release a current vintage with this much maturity already built in. The 2014 shows dried cherry, raspberry, and red currant layered with tobacco, leather, cedar, dried herbs, and subtle spice, carried by fine tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, savory finish. Tondonia tends to show a little more finesse and elegance than the broader, more rustic Bosconia bottling, while still possessing the structure and old-school character that reward decades in the cellar. This is benchmark traditional Rioja and one of the most compelling bottles available at this price, mature enough to enjoy immediately, yet with plenty of life still ahead.
Wine Advocate (Luis Guttierez) 95 points! "The very pretty red 2014 Viña Tondonia Reserva is stunning. The blend this year is 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho and the rest Graciano and Mazuelo. It matured in the old oak vats and well-seasoned American oak barrels for eight years and has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.3 and 6.7 grams of acidity. María José told me she noticed the alcohol here compared with other vintages, but I found the wine to be really balanced, combining power and elegance, with energy and a polished and elegant palate. They have been bottling all the wines a little later than in the past, which was partly done intentionally but also because of circumstances, like availability of bottles or logistics related to COVID-19, etc. 300,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2022."
Vinous (Jaoquin Hidalgo) 93 points! "Clear bouquet development defines the 2014 Reserva Viña Tondonia, aged for six years in American oak and bottled in November 2022. On the nose, soft herbs, underbrush and dried cherry unfold over a lightly grippy oak frame. The palate is vibrant and energetic, capturing the house style through subtle firmness and freshness that support the structure. (Drink between 2026-2040)"
2014 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia
2014 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia
López de Heredia is one of Spain’s most historic addresses, virtually unchanged for nearly 150 years and renowned for an uncompromisingly traditional style of Rioja. For decades, the wines have also been among the greatest values in Old World red wine, achieving a level of quality, complexity, and longevity that continues to stun at their price point. The newly released 2014 Viña Tondonia Reserva is another sensational effort from this favorite Spanish estate, produced from 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, with the balance of Mazuelo and Graciano, all grown in the historic Viña Tondonia vineyard along the Ebro River. True to the house style, the wine receives an extraordinarily long élevage in well-seasoned American oak before extended bottle aging at the domaine, meaning very few producers release a current vintage with this much maturity already built in. The 2014 shows dried cherry, raspberry, and red currant layered with tobacco, leather, cedar, dried herbs, and subtle spice, carried by fine tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, savory finish. Tondonia tends to show a little more finesse and elegance than the broader, more rustic Bosconia bottling, while still possessing the structure and old-school character that reward decades in the cellar. This is benchmark traditional Rioja and one of the most compelling bottles available at this price, mature enough to enjoy immediately, yet with plenty of life still ahead.
Wine Advocate (Luis Guttierez) 95 points! "The very pretty red 2014 Viña Tondonia Reserva is stunning. The blend this year is 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho and the rest Graciano and Mazuelo. It matured in the old oak vats and well-seasoned American oak barrels for eight years and has 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.3 and 6.7 grams of acidity. María José told me she noticed the alcohol here compared with other vintages, but I found the wine to be really balanced, combining power and elegance, with energy and a polished and elegant palate. They have been bottling all the wines a little later than in the past, which was partly done intentionally but also because of circumstances, like availability of bottles or logistics related to COVID-19, etc. 300,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2022."
Vinous (Jaoquin Hidalgo) 93 points! "Clear bouquet development defines the 2014 Reserva Viña Tondonia, aged for six years in American oak and bottled in November 2022. On the nose, soft herbs, underbrush and dried cherry unfold over a lightly grippy oak frame. The palate is vibrant and energetic, capturing the house style through subtle firmness and freshness that support the structure. (Drink between 2026-2040)"
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