Viña Tondonia Blanco 6º año 1968

Wine: Viña Tondonia Blanco 6º año 1968

Winery: R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Viura, 50% Malvasía.
ABV: [Not specified]

Winemaking
The grapes were hand-harvested at optimal maturity. Primary fermentation was conducted in neutral 60-hectoliter oak vats without temperature intervention for a minimum of six months. The wine subsequently underwent an extensive elevage of 5 years in seasoned 225-liter American oak barriques, handcrafted in the estate’s own cooperage. The aging process included two traditional manual rackings (trasiegas) per year. Fined with fresh egg whites and bottled directly from the barrel—unfiltered—in March 1975. It rested for a minimum of 6 months in the winery's subterranean bottle cellar prior to commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Luminous and brilliant old-gold hue, accented by amber and copper reflections. It displays a notable viscosity, characterized by thick, slow-moving, and persistent legs.

 

Nose: Deep, powerful, and remarkably complex. The primary bouquet unveils concentrated notes of candied citrus, dried apricots, and orange peel, underpinned by acacia honey and quince paste. Upon aeration, the wine evolves into a sophisticated aromatic profile of coriander seeds, sweet vanilla, and vinous oak staves. It transitions towards a savory, tertiary dimension featuring dried chamomile, herbal infusions (mountain tea), and a profound, developing mineral-earthy backbone.

 

Palate: Medium-bodied and extraordinarily concentrated, yet maintaining a weightless, ethereal quality. It is defined by a vibrant, bracing acidity - a hallmark of traditional Rioja- that provides exceptional tension. The palate is succulent and broad, layered with marmalade-like fruit, creamy toasted nuances, and sweet spice. It shows seamless integration and a more energetic, lifted profile than its Gran Reserva counterpart, likely due to the Malvasía’s influence. A profound, memorable expression of the house style.

 

Personal Score: 93
Tasting Group Score: 93