2012 Vina Tondonia Tinto Reserva Lopez de Heredia Rioja 0.75l

2012 Vina Tondonia Tinto Reserva Lopez de Heredia - Rioja
single-vineyard wine

Origin:

The López de Heredia winery in Haro is one of the oldest and most traditional wineries in Rioja. Family-owned since 1877, it represents the region's classic style like no other. The Viña Tondonia Tinto Reserva comes from the eponymous, over 100-hectare single vineyard site characterized by limestone and clay soils with alluvial influences. Old vines of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano thrive here, lending the wines their characteristic power, depth, and finesse.

Expansion:

In keeping with tradition, the 2012 Reserva matured for six years in used American oak barrels before further aging in bottle. López de Heredia never uses new oak, maintaining the focus on elegance, maturity, and provenance. Bottling is carried out without filtration, with the winery's own cooperage still crafting the barrels by hand.

Aroma & Taste:

In the glass, the wine presents a deep garnet red with brick-red reflections . The nose offers complex aromas : ripe cherries and wild berries, along with dried figs, tobacco, cedarwood, and hints of vanilla. With aeration , earthy notes, leather, and dried herbs emerge – typical of the long barrel aging. On the palate, it is powerful yet delicately interwoven, supported by ripe tannins and lively acidity . The finish is long, spicy, and elegant.

Food recommendation:

Ideal with braised lamb, roast venison, hearty tapas , or mature Manchego cheese. It also reveals its full potential on its own in a large glass, demonstrating the art of Rioja tradition.

Special features of the 2012 vintage in Rioja:

The 2012 vintage was characterized by dry conditions and low yields , caused by three consecutive years of drought. The small grapes yielded highly concentrated musts with a strong tannin structure and pronounced aromatics . In some locations, water stress delayed ripening, meaning quality depended heavily on selective work in the vineyard. A decisive turning point was the rain in September , which gave the grapes additional balance and led to an improved acid structure. Overall, 2012 produced powerful, structured, and age-worthy wines , particularly impressive in the Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano varieties.

Conclusion:

The 2012 Viña Tondonia Tinto Reserva is a prime example of the timeless elegance of Rioja Alta: powerful, ripe, complex, and with a distinctive signature – a wine for lovers of classic Reservas with great aging potential.