2001 R. Lopez Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva Tempranillo

2001 R. Lopez Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva

96+ RP

From the critics:

95 JS

94 JG

92 VM

90 WS

Lots of dried fruits from pear and apples to all citrus. Honey undertones too. Full body, tangy fruit and acidity. Hints of limes and vanilla also. A fascinating wine. Drinking heritage. Aged six or seven years in used American wood. Drink or hold.

James Suckling | 95 JS

(Viña Tondonia Rioja “Reserva”- López de Heredia) The 2001 Viña Tondonia Rioja “Reserva” from López de Heredia is a truly beautiful wine in the making. At age eighteen, it is drinking with a great degree of style and polish, but is still in climbing mode and will be even better down the road than it is today! The gorgeous bouquet wafts from the glass in a mix of cherries, raspberries, toasted coconut, cloves, salty soil elements, cigar wrapper, cinnamon and orange zest in the upper register. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, refined and nicely tangy, with a lovely core of fruit, great soil signature, moderate, buried tannins and stunning length and grip on the vibrant and very complex finish. This is not a powerful wine by any stretch of the imagination, but rather a vibrant, intensely flavored and beautifully transparent wine of breed and stellar complexity. 2001 is a great vintage in Rioja and the Viña Tondonia “Reserva” has fully captured all of the potential of this magical year. It is delicious now and is only going to get better for the next couple of decades. (Drink between 2019-2065)

John Gilman | 94 JG

(75% tempranillo, 15% garnacha and 5% each of graciano and mazuelo) Bright medium red. Expansive bouquet of musky red and dark berries, medicinal cherry, rose oil and Asian spices. Juicy raspberry and rose pastille flavors are framed by silky tannins and given a boost by zesty minerality. Packs a solid punch but comes off almost weightless. The tannins fade into the sweet fruit on the finish, which is strikingly pure and very persistent. Lovely right now.

Vinous Media | 92 VM

This polished red delivers mature flavors of dried cherry, forest floor, tobacco and vanilla on a graceful frame. Fresh and lively. Drink now. 21,665 cases made. — TM

Wine Spectator | 90 WS

Type of Wine	Spain Red : Spanish wines shouldn't be overlooked under any circumstances, as there are plenty of extraordinary wines coming from this country. There are also lots of grape varietals grown all over Spain. Some of the most gorgeous red varieties are the early-harvested Tempranillo, raspberry-flavored Garnacha, Bobal, Monastrell, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot.
Varietal	Tempranillo : The world’s most popular and widely planted grape varietals often have a strong presence in their place of origin, where the terroir and climate are most suitable for growth and success. None may be more evident than that of Tempranillo. This Noble Grape is the 3rd most widely planted varietal in the world but is important to note that of the 236,000 hectares planted around the world, 202,000 are cultivated in Spain. Tempranillo is an ancient grape but very little is known of its history prior to the 19th century. While the earliest mention of Tempranillo is from 1807, there are various speculations of its true time and place of origin. Some believe the grape originated in southern France as a natural hybrid of Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Others believe that Tempranillo was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula by the Phoenicians over 3,000 years ago. According to research conducted at UC Davis, Tempranillo likely originated in Northern Spain, possibly in the winegrowing regions of Rioja and Navarra, where it remains the primary grape variety. Tempranillo grapes hang in medium to large cylindrical clusters with sparse foliage which needs attention to adapting canopy needs in hotter regions. The pear-shaped, deep blue-black berries of Tempranillo arrive early to the vineyard, usually being harvested in late August to mid-September. The name Tempranillo quite possibly derived from temprano, which means early in Spanish and might be due to the grape’s early ripening. The varietal thrives in Mediterranean and Continental climates where the days are warm and dry and balanced by cool nights which help to ensure ample fruit and bright structure. Tempranillo easily adapts to the terroir of Spain and greatly prospers in Rioja, La Mancha and Ribera del Duero, where the terroir is composed of a myriad of differing soils and elements, including calcareous and ferrous deposits, clay, sand and alluvial materials. The vines willing set root in free draining gravelly-loam, sand and clay. Tempranillo showcases the terroir though the wine itself, displaying different characteristics which are dependent on location. Rioja and Navarra deliver pepper, red cherry and subtle cinnamon notes with ample structure. Ribera del Duero, Toro and Cigales are typically deeper, darker and more brooding with blackberry fruit flavors and intense tannins. The varietal’s ability to adapt to its elements is as immensely impressive as it is important to Spain’s winegrowing and winemaking industry. Words often found on Spanish labels include: Roble, Tinto, Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. These aging terms inform whether the wine has spent little to no time in oak all the way up to 18-24 months with an additional four years of bottle aging. According to many proprietors, the more time spent in oak and aging, the better the quality. This is common practice in Rioja, Duero and La Mancha, where Tempranillo is the workhorse and also the shining star. Wines produced from the Tempranillo grape varietal range from rock star producers in Rioja (Benjamin Romeo Contador) to Ribera del Duero (Vega Sicilia) to quality value wines form La Mancha. Today, Tempranillo is cultivated in fifteen different countries around the world, including Mexico, South America (most notably Argentina) California and of course, Portugal. Tempranillo is one of the top varietals blended into Port wine from Portugal, where it is called Tinta Roriz. Full-bodied single-varietal examples are starting to gain traction in Dao and Alentejo where the grape is labeled as Aragonez.
Country	Spain : Grapevines have been cultivated on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years, making Spain one of the oldest wine producing countries on earth. With nearly 1 million hectares under vine, Spain is in possession of more grapevines that any other nation in the world. Today, vineyard cultivation takes place in virtually every administrative district, making it a leading producer on today’s market. Spain’s vineyards generate an annual wine output of 40.7 million hectoliters, ranking it third in the world behind only France and Italy. Spain is a land of breathtaking beauty, diverse topography, complex cultures and a time honored tradition of viticulture. The country’s broad geographical values play a major role in defining the many wine styles produced. From the cool climes of Galicia and the snow-capped Pyrenees to arid Andalucía in the south, and every region in between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, Spain boasts one of the most diverse terroirs in the world. The country’s myriad of soils and complex climate systems creates an expansive planting ground for a multitude of varietals. Tempranillo has long played an instrumental role in Spanish winemaking. It is important to note that of the 236,000 hectares being cultivated world-wide, 202,000 are planted in Spain. It is commonly utilized in the production of still red wines from Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro and has taken the world by storm. In the past few decades, wines produced in Rioja have been some of the most popular, and in 2017, wines with a “Rioja” label were the most purchased on the wine market. Bodegas Vega Sicilia, located in Ribera del Duero in northern Spain has been one of the most sought after producers hailing from Spain, and Tinta de Toro (otherwise known as Tempranillo everywhere else) has certainly placed its mark on the region and the world. Spain is also renowned for its production of sweet, raisened Moscatel, fortified Madeira, sparkling Cava and its rising, but shining star, Albarino, which hails from the Rias Baixas appellation of Galicia. Some of the most recognizable names in the world of wine hail from Spain. In the past few decades there has been a collision of New and Old World winemaking; one which has greatly contributed to the continued success of the Spanish wine industry. Modernization of vineyards, facilities and viticulture has greatly improved the significance of Spain in the wine market. Syrah and Merlot have taken root in Spanish wine regions and combined with the indigenous Garnacha (Grenache) Garnacha Blanca (Grenache Blanc), Godello and many others, the country has not only adapted to new styles of winemaking but also the ever changing palate of consumers.
Region	Rioja : Rioja is a Spanish wine region with a lot of tradition behind it, and it's famous as one of Spain's most famous communes when it comes to raw viticultural mastery and dedication. Their reds harness the magnificent potential of grape varietals such as Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha Tinta, and Maturana, whereas the whites are created from mixtures including Garnacha Blanca, Viura, Tempranillo Blanco and Malvasia. With a combination of such powerhouses, it's no wonder that their wines are in high demand among experienced and knowledgeable collectors. A sampling speaks countless words about the flavor bouquet and structure of these masterpieces. Expect to encounter beautiful floral spice notes and a juicy, syrupy combination of fruit that leaves your mouth watering and your tastebuds screaming for more. Cinnamon and tobacco give the wines an intense, sharp approach, rounding out the experience and leaving the bottles balanced and elegant. It's truly a complete experience for your mouth, and the perfume lingers long after you've finished drinking, extending that period of enjoyment all wine enthusiasts are almost addicted to. If you're in the mood for a classic Rioja as soon as possible, or you simply wish to enhance your collection with luxurious and prestigious bottles, we have your needs covered.