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Winery: Bodegas López de Heredia
Country / Region: Spain / Rioja
Date winery was established: 1877
Grape Variety: Tempranillo / Garnacha / Mazuelo
Year the vintage was first released: 1920
Alcohol / Volume: 13.5% / 750ml
Decanting Time: Decant only to remove sediments (wines at this age and high quality will tend to have sediments form in the bottle. This is completely normal and a sign of the wine's age and quality. Another way to avoid sediments going in the glass is to rest the bottle vertically for at least 1 hour so that the sediments settle at the bottom and pour gently or pour using a fine strainer.). Serve at 16 - 18°C
Our suggestion for decanting time is based on bottles we tried at Txanton in 2022. We guarantee that Txanton stocks are imported and maintained in proper storage within the correct temperature and humidity suitable for wine.
Good To Know: Highly regarded as one of the world's greatest wine estates, Vina Tondonia is highly renowned for their traditional Rioja winemaking style focusing mainly on Tempranillo with the addition of lesser amounts of Garnacha and Mazuelo in their blends. Also amazing to note is their use of very old oak vats of varying sizes and wood origin as well as the deep, dark network of tunnels where their cellars for aging wines are located. These network of cellars have produced evocative names such as El Cemeterio and La Dolorosa.
Vina Tondonia Tinto Gran Reserva has more than proven its ability to age with this 1978 vintage. The nose opens up subtly and slowly. Bringing notes of crushed figs, dried blackberries and tobacco. The palate remains amazingly savory and fleshy underneath the notes of licorice and fine polished leather. Brilliant vanilla remains detectable in the palate along with hints of oregano and smoke. The finish though slightly shortened with age, remains amazingly persistent with beautiful, velvety tannins.
Founded in 1877, Vina Tondonia's sprawling winery complex in the capital of Rioja Alta, Haro, is one of the oldest in the city and one of the first in the region. Their vineyards extend to around 100 hectares on an amazing site of alluvial clay with high traces limestone; over a gorgeous view of the Ebro river. The company that owns Vina Tondonia, R. Lopez de Heredia also own 3 other vineyards in the region: Viñas Cubillo, Bosconia and Zaconia (currently known as Gravonia).