Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva 2009/11, Lopez de Heredia

Light fresh texture with notes of vanilla and dried berry aromas. Rich, very dry, smooth, developed. Firm tannins and good balance.

An exemplary producer of traditional Rioja, López de Heredia was founded by Don Rafael López de Heredia in 1877, shortly after the phylloxera outbreak forced the French to explore neighbouring Spain for alternative sources of quality grapes. 4 generations and more than 140 years later, López de Heredia continues making wine in pretty much the same way as before.

The only bodega to be awarded a “Diploma de Garantía” (Diploma of Guarantee, displayed on all back labels) from Rioja’s regulating body for using only native grapes since its founding, López de Heredia is also the sole bodega in Spain to hand-craft all their barrels.

This vintage was qualified as VERY GOOD by the DOC Rioja Board. The wine growing campaign proceeded as usual except for the heavy rains that took place in June, which however didn’t really affect the grapes’ setting. After these fertilization and absence of spring frosts there was a dry and hot summer, free of cryptogamic/fungal diseases, that resulted in an abundant harvest. We observed certain maturation disparities which could have been solved along October due to its appropriate climate for a restful and selective harvest. The collecting work began in Viña Gravonia in September 22nd and was extended until the 25th for the white varieties. For the red varieties the harvest restarted at Viña Tondonia in October 7th and didn’t stop until it was finished by October 24th.