2010 - R. Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Tinto Reserva, Rioja

The 2010 Viña Tondonia Reserva has all I expect from a Reserva from Tondonia, complexity, elegance and evolution, a developed nose with notes of forest floor and wild berries, herbs and flowers, a touch of iodine, brick dust and very fine, polished tannins. It has the seriousness and elegance of Tondonia. This is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho (they use the masculine form of the name of the grape) and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo that fermented in the ancient oak vats from when the winery was created 144 years ago and matured in well-seasoned, American oak barrels for six years. It has 13% alcohol, a pH of 3.4 and 6.6 grams of acidity. 260,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2017.

Viña Tondonia has over 100 hectares on the right bank of the River Ebro comprising 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Graciano and Mazuelo. Vines are between 438 and 489 m in elevation. The wine is matured for six years in used American Appalachian oak barrels. Mid bricky red. Classic traditional Rioja aroma: sweet senescent fruit, undergrowth, polished wood, dried fruits, almost nutty. Smooth, smooth tannins still have a very gentle friction, giving it shape and further longevity. Scented with age and red-fruit and old-oak sweetness. Extremely long and silky on the finish. Impossible not to love this wine. (JH)