Viña Tondonia 1968 Blanco Gran Reserva

Wine: Viña Tondonia 1968 Blanco Gran Reserva

Winery: R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 85% Viura, 15% Malvasía
ABV: 12% 

Winemaking
The wine spent 6 months in wooden vats before undergoing 10 years of aging in seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels, crafted by the winery’s own cooperage. A total of 17 manual rackings were performed. Clarified with fresh egg whites and bottled directly from the cask in October 1978, alongside the 1970 vintage. Unfiltered. Sealed with a special wax capsule to ensure optimal bottle evolution and protection against contamination. Limited production of 10,000 bottles. It rested for a minimum of 44 months in the bottle prior to its commercial release. 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Golden-yellow, vibrant and bright, with orange highlights. It displays a pronounced sense of viscosity with thick legs.

 

Nose: Immense personality, showcasing the winery’s hallmark craftsmanship. It overflows with life and energy offering hints of candied fruit, dried apricots, bitter orange marmalade, and sweet citrus (grapefruit, lemongrass). A creamy component of quince paste, honey, and acacia emerges. Gradually, it unfolds to reveal reminiscences of beeswax, vanilla bean, and a background touch of hydrocarbons and smoke.

 

Palate: Broad, solid, and integral, showing no signs of fatigue. A pronounced acidity stands out, amplifying the experience and bringing forth ripe fruit and fine spices. Savory, rounded, and mature, yet still possessing the potential for further development. It lingers indefinitely on the palate with elegant bitters. An expressive and full-bodied white, unapologetically complex and currently in an exceptional drinking window. It will continue to refine and gain stature over the coming years.

 

Personal Score: 93
Tasting Group Score: 94

 Antiguo grabado de la bodega. Los terrenos forman un triángulo entre las vías del ferrocarril y el río Ebro.