R. Lopez de Heredia - Vina Tondonia Reserva 2005 (1.5L)
Price: $195.00
| Producer | R. Lopez de Heredia |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Varietal | Red Blend |
| Vintage | 2005 |
| Sku | 11339 |
R. Lopez de Heredia Description
"For us, tradition and conviction are life-long attitudes. Our winemaking process has been passed on from generation to generation, and our daily tasks are rooted in tradition, yet at the same time based on our deep belief in the validity and modernity of our methods. By “tradition”, we do not mean immobility and opposition to change; rather a dynamic and aesthetic concept in maintaining eternal principles and criteria. We are perfectly aware of the rhythm of change, and for this reason, our openness to change, our flexibility, our non-conformism and our self-criticism enable us to face the future. What we have inherited from our ancestors is what converts our idiosyncrasies into positive qualities and attitudes."
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VINTAGE: Classified by The Regulating Council as EXCELLENT, as well as the previous year. This harvest was not only good in quality but in quantity both in our own vineyards and in the whole D.O. Rioja. From the 170 ha that we own, in 2005 we had 154 in production. The volume of the harvest in 2005 was slightly smaller than 2004, due to the pollination. The vegetative cycle was perfect with no problems during all year. The harvest started 10 days in advance from a normal year starting on September 24th with the White grapes and on September 27th with the red grapes in Viña Tondonia. We finished harvesting Viña Cubillo in October 22nd. We suffered a big storm on October the 12th that delayed the finalizing but didn’t damage the quality. The grapes entered the winery with a good concentration of color, balance of alcohol content and acidity and good color intensity. All of this made great wines with high vocation of ageing.
COLOR: Vibrant red leading slightly towards amber.
NOSE: Light fresh texture with notes of vanilla and dried berry aromas.
TASTE: Rich, very dry, smooth, developed. Firm tannins and balance.
GASTRONOMY: Goes well with all meat dishes however prepared. A perfect partner to a Leg of New Season Welsh Lamb stuffed with wild garlic, rosemary and anchovies.
James Suckling: 96 Points
A staggering range of aromas, from dried mango and papaya through toasted nuts to dried flowers. Powerful and concentrated, but not at all fat, this has a stunning texture, due to the interplay of tannins and richness. Very long, intense finish. Drink or hold.
Wine Advocate: 93 Points
The 2005 Viña Tondonia Reserva is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo from their vineyards in the meander of the Ebro River, where they have some 100 hectares of vineyards. The wine fermented in the original oak vats that are now some 140 years of age. There is no temperature control and malolactic was also in the vat. The wine was transferred to oak barrels where it slowly matured in their deep, humid caves for no less than six years. After this, it was bottled unfiltered after being fined with egg whites. I think the quality gap between the Reserva and Gran Reserva has been getting smaller since the 2001 vintage and this 2005 is nothing short of exceptional. It's clean and complex, with more freshness. The wine is very spicy and with a palate that feels very balanced, livelier than in the past. It has a long finish where the flavors are clean. Easy to drink and very pleasurable.
