I had a feeling that my visit was going to be special. When I first set foot at Vina Tondinia several years back something immediately felt different. The caves were different, the in-house cooper was different, and the aging process in the wines was definitely different.
I have always loved wines with a special sense of place. R. Lopez de Heredia is without a doubt one of the famed properties in the La Rioja region. It has an incredible history as R. Lopez de Heredia was founded in the nineteenth century when French negociants visited the Rioja region to find alternative sources of quality grapes to transform into wine, following their phylloxera epidemic had decimated their vineyards. Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, started his winery in Haro, the capital of the Rioja Alta region. The winery is a stunning older building with one of the coolest wine caves that I have ever seen.
My visit to R. Lopez de Heredia was one of the highlights of my trip to Spain. R. Lopez de Heredia wines are aged considerably longer than most and they are only sold when the winemaker finds them to be drinking perfectly. Their current releases are more than a decade old. Their entry level wines offer unparalleled value in the world of wine. None is more true than the 2013 Vina Cubillo Red Wine (OB, 92) which is fresh and brilliantly textured, with gorgeous orange rind and red currant tones. I am enamored by the elegant 2010 R. Lopez de Heredia ‘Vina Tondonia’ Rioja Reserva (OB, 95) which shows amazing aging potential in this brilliant vintage. Learn more about this famed winery athttp://www.lopezdeheredia.com Here are the beautiful new wines by R. Lopez de Heredia.
2014 R. Lopez de Heredia ‘Vina Gravonia’ Crianza Rioja Blanco- The really good 2014 R. Lopez de Heredia ‘Vina Gravonia’ Crianza Rioja Blanco is 100% Viura wine which was stored for four years in 225L American oak barrels and then for an additional five years in the bottle. Salted Macadamia nut aromas combine with white rose petals, toasty oak and suggestions of lime blossom. Very silky on the approach, this deftly glides throughout the drinking experience, showing a great combination of weight and elegance. Finishing exceedingly long, this is stunning Viura wine that is best consumed now and over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 94
2013 R. Lopez de Heredia ‘Vina Cubillo’ Crianza Rioja- The gorgeous 2013 ‘Vina Cubillo’ was stored in handmade 225L American oak barrels for three years before bottling and then sat for an additional three years. A blend of mostly Tempranillo (65%) with 25% Garnacho and equal parts Graciano and Mazuelo, this shows tart cranberry and pomegranate fruit flavors, with blood orange rind, cigar ash and toasty oak notes. Elegant and polished, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2010 R. Lopez de Heredia ‘Vina Tondonia’ Reserva Rioja- The 2010 R. Lopez de Heredia ‘Vina Tondonia’ Reserva is a stunning blend of 7-% Tempranillo with 20% Garnacho, 10% Graciano and 10% Mazuelo. Sourced from these famed clay and limestone soils, the wine was stored for six years in handmade 225L American oak vessels, and then for four years in the bottle prior to being released in March 2022. The stunning aromas bring you back to the glass, as toasty oak and and worn leather notes combine with tart Bing cherry and citrus blossom with loamy soils. The soft texture entices, as this shows brilliant underly finesse and copious minerals on the palate. Finishing long, with good concentration, this is a beautiful 2010 Rioja that has only started its long journey in the cellar. Drink 2022-2042- 95