2012 López de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Rioja Reserva, Rioja, Spain

ABOUT THE WINE
The 2012 Viña Tondonia Reserva is a classic Rioja made in the most time-honored style, a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and small portions of Graciano and Mazuelo. Grown in the estate's iconic Viña Tondonia vineyard along the Ebro River near Haro, the vines—planted on alluvial-clay soils with limestone influence—benefit from a continental climate that ensures balanced ripening. The wine is aged for six years in old American oak barrels and then held in bottle for further refinement before release, resulting in aromas of dried red fruit, cedar, leather, and balsamic nuances. On the palate, it is elegant and layered, with earthy complexity, refreshing acidity, and fine-grained tannins. Its balance between oxidative development and freshness makes it a natural match for roasted lamb, aged Manchego, or mushroom risotto.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER
López de Heredia, founded in 1877, stands as a guardian of tradition in Rioja. Now run by the fourth generation of the family, the winery is revered for its unwavering dedication to classical methods: estate-grown fruit, long aging in neutral oak, and bottling only in exceptional vintages. Farming is sustainable and minimal intervention guides every stage of production. Located in Haro’s historic Barrio de la Estación, the estate’s cellars and iconic winery buildings echo its legacy. Wines from López de Heredia, particularly those from Viña Tondonia, are known for their age-worthiness, textural complexity, and distinctive oxidative charm—icons of Rioja that resist trends and define timelessness.