LOPEZ DE HEREDIA Rioja Tinto 'Vina Tondonia' Reserva 2010/11 Bottle

Description

The 2011 has that wonderful ‘Tondonia’ character of rich, red and black fruit mixed with leather and cured jamón. Even in the aromas, the freshness of the wine is apparent, complemented perfectly by musky, scented notes of potpourri and incense. The palate is delicate and fresh, with a lovely core of fresh redcurrant and raspberry fruit. As with many Tondonia vintages, this needs some air to relax properly, but the total concentration of the vintage is revealed before long. There is a gorgeous succulence to the weight of fruit on the palate, all offset by a fine line of citrus acidity running right through the core. The fine tannins still have a noticeable grip and linger on the long, cherry-violet-chocolate finish, which hums with a tangerine twist. This is vibrant, fresh and fine; a vintage to drink slightly earlier than the 2010, but one still with huge staying power that will hold for a long time. Drink 2024 (decanted) to 2048. Catriona Felstead MW.

95 points James Suckling - "A traditional beauty that effuses iron, warm earth and savory tobacco leaves, together with plums, spices and orange zest. This is juicy and still tight, with firm but savory tannins. Medium-weight and quite zesty in texture, as is the case with the other López de Heredia reds tasted this session."

94 points Wine Advocate - "The 2011 Viña Tondonia Reserva is darker and shows riper fruit, a rounder palate and some dusty tannins. A year of ripeness, concentration and tannin, the wine is powerful with the finesse of Tondonia. Tasting this next to the textbook 2010 Tondonia revealed how this has more muscle and a wider back and the 2010 epitomizes the finesse and elegance."