BODEGAS R. LOPEZ DE HEREDIA Rioja Blanco 'Vina Tondonia' Reserva - Haro 2013 Bottle

Description

Vina Tondonia Blanco is one of Spain's most extraordinary and distinctive white wines. Produced from 90% Viura and 10% Malvasia Riojana then aged six years in cask and another six years in bottle before release. The wine is incredibly complex, with notes of beeswax, white currant, and saddle leather. The palate is dense and textured but always has the zest of acidity, which frames this wine for its long ageing potential. This newly released current vintage of this esteemed producer's famed white reserva has arrived! A fresh and complex nose of floral notes, pear, and stone fruits. The results of bottle aging are felt on the palate: wet rocks, white flowers, and earthy notes abound, and nuanced, savory mushroom flavors dance along with yellow pears and dried apples. Sip and savor with lemon pepper wings like a true Atlanta wine aficionado.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VINTAGE:
Unlike the three previous vintages, the one of the 2013 was characterized by the abundant rains that reached the quantity of 753l /m2 in Haro, well above the average of 530l /m2 that are registered annually in Haro. This circumstance together with the fresh temperatures entailed a slight delay in the grapes ripening, more noteworthy compared to the early brought forward of the previous campaigns so that the harvest didn’t start until the 7th of October, although, about the middle of the month, it was speeded up to avoid the spreading of botrytis focus, because last minute risk was high. For this reason, and for the decrease in the grape quantity, based on the deficient grape setting due to the spring persistent rains, the harvest ended the 27th of October, rather earlier than anticipated in the first place. It also affected to the quantity finally harvested the hail storm we suffered the 12th of July that damaged the bunches of nearly all Viña Tondonia, and that came accompanied by strong gusts of wind that affected the more developed vine shots.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 94 points
Drink 2024 - 2032
We talked a lot about the challenging 2013, but they defended the wines. "There was a big crop, and it was not easy, but it was possible to make great wines." The 2013 Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva has nutty aromas, perhaps showing a little more development, but according to Mercedes López de Heredia, "[With] the old vines with the right rootstock, in the right soils, you can have more or less quality, but you're not going to have a disaster." It's a wine that has to have aging potential, and they need to start with good grapes, so they harvested earlier, as their grapes were riper because they had lowered their yields. They took risks, and I think they got it right. The palate has intense and pungent flavors, a velvety mouthfeel and a vibrant core of acidity, with a fine thread and a chalky finish. But it's a slightly weaker year. 14,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2022. - Luis Gutiérrez

JAMES SUCKLING ***** 95 Points
5 Aug, 2024 – An open, balsamic expression of Tondonia. It’s charming and complex, with white truffles, biscuits, roasted macadamia nuts and a touch of Parmesan cheese. Bright and expressive, with a medium body and a long, fluid finish. Beautiful now, but should hold well for the next few years. Drink or hold.

VINOUS 96 points
Drinking window: 2024 - 2040 - The 2013 Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia is a blend of 90% Viura and 10% Malvasía Riojana from the Tondonia vineyard, situated along the Ebro River. Aged for six years in oak barrels and an additional two years in the bottle, this wine defies expectations of youth with its bright amber hue. Subtle aromas of honey, dried apricot, tangerine peel and faint oak greet the senses. Initially rich and overwhelming, it evolves into a gently chalky flow with a refreshing touch on the palate. This complex white wine, with its long-lasting finish and final hint of hazelnut, stands for its aging potential like Rioja whites of old.