Lopez de Heredia, Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva Tinto 2009

Get to know: Lopez de Heredia, Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva Tinto 2009

Tasting Note

This is one of a handful of fine wines in the world that continues to over-deliver hugely on its price-point. The 2009 has a fine, elegant nose of fresh red cherry fruit and sweet spice. The wine has a lifted bouquet, perfumed with hints of pot pourri, raspberry tea and red liquorice. The acidity is astonishing one of Lopez de Heredia's trademarks yet it is the complexity and maturity of the flavours combined with this freshness that is truly inspirational.

Try this with game birds like roast partridge or alternatively simply prepared lamb cutlets.

Kate Says

"Lopez de Heredia are one of the founding producers of the modern Rioja wine industry. Their traditional techniques and long-ageing create a very savoury style with an energetic character that is excellent with food."

Producer Info

70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho and 5% each Mazuelo and Graciano, matured in used American oak barrels for six years.

R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest wine estates, not just in Rioja, but the world. It was founded in 1877, and is well known for its traditional winemaking approach particularly with its Tempranillo-based wines from the Tondonia vineyard, to the extent that this now forms part of the company name.

The Tondonia vineyard extends for over 100 hectares (250 acres) in a picturesque site next to the Ebro river. The soil is made up of alluvial clay with a high limestone content, which has proved an excellent terroir for the Tempranillo and Garnacha vines that are planted there.