Vina Tondonia Reserva 2011 (Lopez de Heredia)

Drink it now or cellar for up to 30 years. It is recommended to decant it for an hour. The López de Heredia winery is the oldest in Haro, in the heart of Rioja Alta, and one of the first three founded in the region. The project, in fact, began in 1877, from an idea of Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, an expert in the art of winemaking, who had understood the magical combination of soil and climate of Rioja ever since. Today, the company remains one of the few family-owned wineries in the region. Vina Tondonia Reserva is a Rioja wine of exceptional quality, considered one of the most prestigious ones in the region. It is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano grapes, that ages for 6 and a half years in barrique and for a further 2 years in the bottle, before being put on the market. The result is an extraordinary wine with a beautiful lively red color and great aging potential. On the nose, it reveals hints of cherry and ripe plum, and notes of vanilla, cocoa, tobacco, and undergrowth. On the palate, it is robust, balanced, and elegant. Despite its age and the time spent in wood, it is still lively and fresh. The tannins are soft and silky. The finish is long and persistent with fruity notes and spicy hints. Perfect with red meats, but absolutely worth trying with slow-cooked Lebanese lamb.