Tasting Notes
Lopez de Heredia’s 2012 Viña Tondonia Rioja Reserva opens with that unmistakable Tondonia signature: a lifted, savory bouquet where dried cherry, redcurrant, and orange peel mingle with notes of cedar, old leather, cured tobacco, and a faint whisper of vanilla from its long oak aging. On the palate, the wine is elegant rather than forceful, carrying medium body, bright acidity, and finely resolved tannins that frame flavors of tart red berries, dried herbs, mushroom, and a gentle earthiness that deepens with air. There’s a subtle oxidative nuance—intentional and traditional—that adds complexity without dulling the wine’s vibrancy, leading to a long, graceful finish marked by spice and dried fruit. This vintage pairs beautifully with roasted lamb, jamón ibérico, grilled mushrooms, or aged Manchego, and it shines alongside dishes that echo its savory, earthy character such as herb‑rubbed pork loin, paella with rabbit, or slow‑braised beans with chorizo.
Critical Acclaim
95 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate)
[$65 list] The 2012 Viña Tondonia Reserva comes from a very dry year, with 25% less rain than the average (at the time), resulting in lower yields of very healthy grapes that delivered wines with nice balance between alcohol and polyphenols, making it very apt for the aging in barrel. It had a slightly longer élevage in barrel, six years. The wine is aromatic with a developed profile, spicy and tertiary (forest floor, a touch of brick dust and iodine), complex and nuanced. The palate is full and round, with polished tannins and a long, dry finish. It has a textbook Tondonia nose and profile. Drink: 2025-2035. (2/29/24)"
95 points Tim Atkin, MW
"(13%) Viña Tondonia can seem austere in its (comparative) youth, especially when compared with sweeter Bosconia, but this is a wine that will reward patience. Picked earlier to assuage the effect of a warmer site, this blend of Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo is structured and focused, with redcurrant, forest floor and green herb notes. Give it time. 2025-32. (2024)"
95 points Joaquín Hidalgo (Vinous)
"The 2012 Viña Tondonia is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, cultivated on the meander of the Ebro River in Rioja Alta. This garnet wine reveals aromas of ash and plum marmalade, with a faintly herbal core and hints of oaky cedar. Dry and lean, the fairly chalky texture lingers long, concluding with a compact, flavorful and lasting finish. The 2012 is a beautiful old-school Rioja. Drink: 2024-2035. (Apr 2024)"
750mL
