Shop, winery:
Avda. de Vizcaya 3, Haro, La Rioja, SpainExperimental phase: initial rating derived from official awards and critic reviews
James Suckling - 98 points
2024
R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva 2004 is an exceptional red wine from the Rioja region of Spain. Crafted from a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano grapes cultivated along the meanders of the Ebro River in Rioja Alta, this wine exemplifies traditional winemaking techniques.
Aged for ten years in oak barrels followed by an additional ten years in the bottle before release, the 2004 Gran Reserva offers a complex aromatic profile. Notes of dried black fruit, licorice, hazelnut, and cedar are complemented by hints of resin, cola, and garrigue.
Bodegas López de Heredia Viña Tondonia is one of the oldest and most esteemed wineries in the Rioja region of Spain. Founded in 1877 by Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, he recognized the potential of the Haro area in Rioja Alta for producing exceptional wines.
López de Heredia is renowned for its traditional winemaking methods, including the use of large American oak barrels and extended aging periods in underground cellars, often exceeding the legal requirements for Reserva and Gran Reserva categories.