The actual product may vary from the images shown on the website.
White dry
Here is the translation into English:
Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Blanco Reserva Rioja 2014 is one of the most iconic white wines in the world. Critics emphasize this wine's incredible longevity, structure, and classic Rioja character, often comparing it to the finest white Burgundies, yet with a distinctively Spanish identity.
The aroma is expressive and multi-layered, highlighting the traditional evolution of white Rioja wines: nutty, honeyed, and dried fruit notes, with smoky, earthy, and mushroom accents, alongside subtle hints of herbs, pollen, and herbal tea. The scents are not of fresh citrus, but rather signs of evolution, maturity, and tertiary (oxidative) complexity, typical of long-aged white Riojas.
Trademark Lopez Heredia Tondonia finesse in a refined, oxidative way. White mushrooms, macadamia, dried lemons, sweet spices and stones. Clear, precise and bright on the medium-bodied palate with lovely acidity and a long finish that will help it age. Elegant. Viura with around 20% malvasia. Drink now or hold.
The 2014 Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva has a bright golden color, almost fluorescent, a complex and nuanced nose reminiscent of the 2017 Viña Gravonia that I tasted next to it, toasty, smoky and spicy, with mushroom and earth, pollen and herbal tea notes, reminiscent of the aromas in their old caves. 2014 was not an easy vintage, and some wines were diluted because of the abundant rains before or during the harvest. This is the usual blend of Viura with 10% Malvasía Riojana from vines averaging 63 years of age on white soils with abundant rocks. It fermented in ancient oak vats with indigenous yeasts and matured for six years, probably more, in well-seasoned, neutral American oak barrels in their caves, which have a big effect on the wines (the longer the time in them, the longer the effect). It has 12.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.3 and 6.6 grams of acidity. It fills your mouth with pungent flavors, despite being medium-bodied and having an ethereal quality about it, and it's very long and tasty and finishes almost salty, with an umami feeling, dry and chalky. Delicious, clean and still young, it should age effortlessly. 18,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2022.
López de Heredia – one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Spain, founded in 1880 by Don Rafael López de Heredia. For more than 140 years, this family estate has become a true symbol of Rioja, renowned for its unwavering commitment to traditional winemaking. Unlike many others, the estate has always worked exclusively with its own vineyards, ensuring full quality control and authentic terroir expression.
Wine Style
López de Heredia wines are celebrated for their depth, complexity, and remarkable longevity.
These wines stand as proof that a truly traditional style can remain timeless and relevant today.
Authentic Winemaking Methods
The estate follows methods established in the 19th century. Fermentation takes place in 72 large oak vats, some of which have been in use since the winery’s founding. Wines are then aged for extended periods in handmade American oak barrels, providing finesse, depth, and distinctive structure. All barrels are crafted in the winery’s own cooperage, preserving independence and authenticity.
Prestigious Vineyards
López de Heredia owns 170 hectares of vineyards in Rioja Alta. Among them, the renowned Viña Tondonia (founded in 1913) is considered one of the most iconic sites in all of Rioja. Other notable vineyards include Viña Bosconia, Viña Cubillo, and Viña Gravonia, each contributing unique character and enhancing the winery’s reputation for excellence.
Aging and Drinking Window
One of the hallmarks of López de Heredia is its extraordinary aging process. Wines are kept in oak barrels far longer than usual – often 6 to 10 years – and once bottled, they may continue to mature in the cellars for several more decades. While approachable in their youth, these wines reveal their true greatness with age – a timeless expression of Rioja that never goes out of style.
