2012 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | |
| Appellation | Rioja Alta |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Grape | , , , |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2024 - 2035 |
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Description
Lopez de Heredia really needs no introduction. The vineyards are located on the right bank of the Ebro River in Haro (Rioja Alta). The Tondonia is still made in a traditional way where fermentation of the must with skins is done in large oak barrels of 240 liters for about 7 days. The second fermentation takes place in Bordeaux barrels and is relatively long (up to six months). The wine then matures for more than 6 years in used French oak, after which it is bottle-aged for a few more years before the Tondonia comes on the market. The Vina Tondonia Reserve is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 10% Mazuelo and Graciano. Tondonia makes a very authentic and, in the best sense of the word, an old-fashioned Rioja and can be called unique in terms of style. After the wine has been exposed to a large portion of oxygen, a beautiful palette of scents unfolds in which cherries, leather and cigar are the first to emerge. The wine is medium bodied and has the typical tondonia oxidative (pleasant) tone and the taste is beautiful and balanced.
What makes Tondonia unique is the very long maturation in old oak (they employ their own tonneliers) before being marketed after several years of bottle maturation. These are wines that can mature for a very long time and have nothing to do with modern wines matured in French oak. The 2011 vintage has been rated EXCELLENT by the Appellation.
94/100 Parker
95/100 James Suckling
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Appellation | Rioja Alta |
| Winery | Lopez De Heredia |
| Grape | Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Tempranillo |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2035 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | Tier Price |
| Parker rating | 95 |
| Vinous rating | 95 |
| Tasting Profiles | Aards, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Rood fruit, Soepel, Vol |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Cadeau!, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$65
Drink Date:
2025 - 2035
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. 250,000 bottles produced.
Mercedes López de Heredia told me, "We are fighting very hard to not change anything. Before, we were going against the flow, and now we are overwhelmed by demand." It was amazing to taste with Mercedes and her sister MarÃa José, who didn't stop talking the whole four hours it took us to go through the current releases. "I've been experimenting with stuff to seal the vats and the barrels, I've mixed beeswax with oil, and I've invented a kind of plasticine with the bitartrates but it's not fully waterproof. We used things that we cannot use anymore, and we have to find alternatives. Everything is a challenge nowadays." The two sisters speak with passion about their traditions and what her grandfather and father did for the family winery. The wines have not changed even if they have to adapt to new regulations that prevent them from working exactly as it was done in the past.
We talked about everything, including the "new" white varieties—they have some experimental plantings—though they are not very impressed by Tempranillo Blanco. "It's not very aromatic and so far, doesn't show the vibrancy of the old Viura, and we have so little Maturana Blanca that we cannot vinify it separately." As for the rosé, they explain, "We didn't have enough Garnacha to make it, so there won't be any rosé available until 2026 or so." I guess from the 2016 vintage...
There was talk about vintages and of course the recent harvest. "In 2023, we harvested in September, and it was extremely warm. For the first time, we didn't harvest in the afternoon because it was too hot." For MarÃa José, 2016 was the last classical vintage in Rioja Alta, perhaps only 2021. It's very much in the style of 2001. The wines from 2016 showed exceptionally well, but the show was stolen by the Gran Reserva bottlings from 2004; both wines from the Viña Tondonia deserve three-digit scores.
Published: Feb 29, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
95
Drinking Window
2024 - 2035
From: The Many Riojas of Rioja: A Tale of Forking Paths (Apr 2024)
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.
- By JoaquÃn Hidalgo on December 2023
If there’s a winery in Rioja that cherishes the past, it’s López de Heredia. Located in the Barrio de la Estación area in Haro, here, the team led by MarÃa José López de Heredia believes that the pioneers who distinguished themselves in the 19th century by digging their first cellar-caves are very much worthy of veneration. I first visited this winery a few years ago, but on this occasion, my visit coincided with a planned blackout that showed the place in a new light. Walking through the damp, mossy passages by torchlight was a thrilling, mystical experience. When I was there before, the past certainly had a tangible presence, but this time, the dark galleries, labyrinthine tunnels and monumental bottle racks took on a life of their own as they rose up in the darkness. Shadowy mystique aside—although candlelight tours might not be a bad idea at all—the winery pays homage to its past and its vineyards. The fact that they are only now releasing their 2004 Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva ought to give you a good idea. Rooted in tradition, they make and cure their own barrels and casks to develop a mellow, complex character over years of aging.
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It all started in the 19th century when French negotiators visited the Rioja region to find good grapes that they could use to produce wine and the founder of the winery López de Heredia, Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, took the vineyards of the French. Soon Rafael fell in love with the area and found that the climate and soil was perfect for making quality wine. He started making the López de Heredia winery in Haro in 1877. López de Heredia is a winery where the owners really care about their estate and give a lot of attention to the vineyards and this is also reflected in the wines.
In the town of Haro, the López de Heredia Viña Tondonia is the oldest winery in the city and one of the first four wineries in La Rioja. The strategic location of the vineyards, the exceptional quality of the plantations and the varieties used, which are perfectly complemented by a special architecture, ensure that these wines are of a high level and are among the best wines from the Rioja. The wines are real icons of Spanish wine growing.
The most famous and best vineyard of López de Heredia is called Tondonia and it is located on the bank of the river Ebra, where several good vineyards are located. Tondonia is about 100 hectares in size and has got its name from the term for the meander (bend) at the river Ebro in which Tondonia is located: Tondon. Besides Tondonia, Lopez de Heredia also has three other vineyards in the Rioja Alta area, namely: The Viña Cubillo, Viña Bosconia and the Viña Gravonia.
Lopez de Heredia really needs no introduction. The vineyards are located on the right bank of the Ebro River in Haro (Rioja Alta). The Tondonia is still made in a traditional way where fermentation of the must with skins is done in large oak barrels of 240 liters for about 7 days. The second fermentation takes place in Bordeaux barrels and is relatively long (up to six months). The wine then matures for more than 6 years in used French oak, after which it is bottle-aged for a few more years before the Tondonia comes on the market. The Vina Tondonia Reserve is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 10% Mazuelo and Graciano. Tondonia makes a very authentic and, in the best sense of the word, an old-fashioned Rioja and can be called unique in terms of style. After the wine has been exposed to a large portion of oxygen, a beautiful palette of scents unfolds in which cherries, leather and cigar are the first to emerge. The wine is medium bodied and has the typical tondonia oxidative (pleasant) tone and the taste is beautiful and balanced.
What makes Tondonia unique is the very long maturation in old oak (they employ their own tonneliers) before being marketed after several years of bottle maturation. These are wines that can mature for a very long time and have nothing to do with modern wines matured in French oak. The 2011 vintage has been rated EXCELLENT by the Appellation.
94/100 Parker
95/100 James Suckling
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Appellation | Rioja Alta |
| Winery | Lopez De Heredia |
| Grape | Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Tempranillo |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2012 |
| Drinking as of | 2024 |
| Drinking till | 2035 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | Tier Price |
| Parker rating | 95 |
| Vinous rating | 95 |
| Tasting Profiles | Aards, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Rood fruit, Soepel, Vol |
| Drink moments | Barbecue, Cadeau!, Met vrienden, Open haard, Romantisch |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$65
Drink Date:
2025 - 2035
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. 250,000 bottles produced.
Mercedes López de Heredia told me, "We are fighting very hard to not change anything. Before, we were going against the flow, and now we are overwhelmed by demand." It was amazing to taste with Mercedes and her sister MarÃa José, who didn't stop talking the whole four hours it took us to go through the current releases. "I've been experimenting with stuff to seal the vats and the barrels, I've mixed beeswax with oil, and I've invented a kind of plasticine with the bitartrates but it's not fully waterproof. We used things that we cannot use anymore, and we have to find alternatives. Everything is a challenge nowadays." The two sisters speak with passion about their traditions and what her grandfather and father did for the family winery. The wines have not changed even if they have to adapt to new regulations that prevent them from working exactly as it was done in the past.
We talked about everything, including the "new" white varieties—they have some experimental plantings—though they are not very impressed by Tempranillo Blanco. "It's not very aromatic and so far, doesn't show the vibrancy of the old Viura, and we have so little Maturana Blanca that we cannot vinify it separately." As for the rosé, they explain, "We didn't have enough Garnacha to make it, so there won't be any rosé available until 2026 or so." I guess from the 2016 vintage...
There was talk about vintages and of course the recent harvest. "In 2023, we harvested in September, and it was extremely warm. For the first time, we didn't harvest in the afternoon because it was too hot." For MarÃa José, 2016 was the last classical vintage in Rioja Alta, perhaps only 2021. It's very much in the style of 2001. The wines from 2016 showed exceptionally well, but the show was stolen by the Gran Reserva bottlings from 2004; both wines from the Viña Tondonia deserve three-digit scores.
Published: Feb 29, 2024
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
95
Drinking Window
2024 - 2035
From: The Many Riojas of Rioja: A Tale of Forking Paths (Apr 2024)
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.
- By JoaquÃn Hidalgo on December 2023
If there’s a winery in Rioja that cherishes the past, it’s López de Heredia. Located in the Barrio de la Estación area in Haro, here, the team led by MarÃa José López de Heredia believes that the pioneers who distinguished themselves in the 19th century by digging their first cellar-caves are very much worthy of veneration. I first visited this winery a few years ago, but on this occasion, my visit coincided with a planned blackout that showed the place in a new light. Walking through the damp, mossy passages by torchlight was a thrilling, mystical experience. When I was there before, the past certainly had a tangible presence, but this time, the dark galleries, labyrinthine tunnels and monumental bottle racks took on a life of their own as they rose up in the darkness. Shadowy mystique aside—although candlelight tours might not be a bad idea at all—the winery pays homage to its past and its vineyards. The fact that they are only now releasing their 2004 Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva ought to give you a good idea. Rooted in tradition, they make and cure their own barrels and casks to develop a mellow, complex character over years of aging.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
It all started in the 19th century when French negotiators visited the Rioja region to find good grapes that they could use to produce wine and the founder of the winery López de Heredia, Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, took the vineyards of the French. Soon Rafael fell in love with the area and found that the climate and soil was perfect for making quality wine. He started making the López de Heredia winery in Haro in 1877. López de Heredia is a winery where the owners really care about their estate and give a lot of attention to the vineyards and this is also reflected in the wines.
In the town of Haro, the López de Heredia Viña Tondonia is the oldest winery in the city and one of the first four wineries in La Rioja. The strategic location of the vineyards, the exceptional quality of the plantations and the varieties used, which are perfectly complemented by a special architecture, ensure that these wines are of a high level and are among the best wines from the Rioja. The wines are real icons of Spanish wine growing.
The most famous and best vineyard of López de Heredia is called Tondonia and it is located on the bank of the river Ebra, where several good vineyards are located. Tondonia is about 100 hectares in size and has got its name from the term for the meander (bend) at the river Ebro in which Tondonia is located: Tondon. Besides Tondonia, Lopez de Heredia also has three other vineyards in the Rioja Alta area, namely: The Viña Cubillo, Viña Bosconia and the Viña Gravonia.