Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva 2013

Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Rioja Reserva 2013 is a benchmark example of traditional Rioja, crafted by one of Spain’s most revered family estates. Sourced from the famed Viña Tondonia vineyard on the banks of the Ebro, this Reserva showcases elegance, complexity, and the kind of soulful character that only long aging can bring. A blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano, it captures the authentic, old-world style that has made Rioja a legend among wine lovers.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2013 Viña Tondonia Reserva shows a luminous garnet core with a brick-tinged rim, a classic sign of its extended maturation. The nose is immediately expressive and layered: dried red cherries, blood orange peel, and stewed strawberries mingle with notes of leather, cedar, cigar box, dill, vanilla, and a touch of earthy mushroom and spice. On the palate, this is medium-bodied and supremely refined, with silky, resolved tannins and vibrant, mouthwatering acidity. Flavors of red cherry, dried plum, and cranberry are interwoven with savory nuances of tobacco leaf, old leather, sweet spices, and a delicate balsamic note. The oak is perfectly integrated, offering gentle toast and sandalwood rather than overt vanilla. Already beautifully evolved but far from tired, this 2013 has an excellent aging potential of another 10–15 years in a good cellar, gaining further tertiary complexity and softness over time.

Production
Viña Tondonia is a historic single vineyard in Rioja Alta, planted on gravelly, alluvial soils along the Ebro River that provide excellent drainage and moderate vine vigor. López de Heredia farms these vineyards traditionally, with old bush vines, low yields and hand-harvesting to ensure only perfectly ripe, healthy grapes—primarily Tempranillo with Garnacha and a small portion of Graciano—make it into the winery. Fermentation occurs in large, old wooden vats with native yeasts, followed by the estate’s hallmark long aging in seasoned American oak barrels—typically around six years for the Reserva—before further bottle aging in the bodega’s cool, labyrinthine cellars. The result is a wine that eschews modern gloss in favor of nuance, authenticity, and graceful evolution.

Food & Serving
This classic Rioja Reserva is a superb match for roasted lamb, game birds, and slow-cooked dishes like lamb shanks or oxtail, as well as grilled pork, chorizo, and jamón Ibérico. It also pairs beautifully with aged Manchego, sheep’s milk cheeses, mushroom dishes, and richly flavored tapas. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to fully express its aromatic complexity. Decanting for about 45–60 minutes is recommended to allow the wine to open up and to help separate it from any natural sediment that may have formed with age.

Producer
Founded in 1877, López de Heredia is one of Rioja’s oldest and most iconic bodegas, and a staunch guardian of traditional winemaking in Spain. Based in Haro, in the heart of Rioja Alta, the family-owned estate has become a reference point for long-lived, classically styled wines that value patience and authenticity over fashion. Their flagship vineyards, including Viña Tondonia, are among the most historic in the region, and their commitment to extended barrel and bottle aging has earned them a cult following among sommeliers and collectors worldwide. López de Heredia’s wines are considered some of the purest expressions of old-school Rioja, consistently praised for their elegance, complexity, and extraordinary ability to age gracefully.