Viña Tondonia 1993 Blanco Reserva

Wine: Viña Tondonia 1993 Blanco Reserva

Winery: R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Viura, 10% Malvasía.
ABV: 12.5% 

Winemaking
Hand-harvested. Fermentation took place in old 60-hectoliter oak vats without temperature control. The wine was aged for 6 years in 225-liter American oak barriques, with two traditional manual rackings performed each year. Fined with fresh egg whites and bottled directly from the barrel—unfiltered. It rested for a minimum of 9 years in the winery’s subterranean cellars (calados) prior to its commercial release. Limited production of 14,000 bottles. 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Golden-yellow hue, slightly dark yet clean, with golden and amber glints. Displays a significant sense of viscosity with broad, permanent legs.

 

Nose: Dominated by ripe fruit and a liqueur-like, vanillic character reminiscent of brioche, dried apricots, quince paste, and sweet citrus (candied lemon). The oak is less intrusive than usual, appearing seamlessly integrated into the ensemble. Subtle spicy notes of coriander seeds, turmeric, and bay leaf emerge, gradually gaining prominence. Soft, creamy, and aromatic; direct and honest without unnecessary artifice.

 

Palate: Fleshy, bone-dry, and full-bodied. An excellent acidity leads into a core of great maturity, with echoes of fruit in its prime. Addictive, savory, and rounded. While perhaps slightly less complex than other vintages, it compensates with its immediacy and high drinking pleasure. It does not appear to possess immense cellaring potential, yet it offers an exceptionally enjoyable experience now. 

 

Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Score: 90