Viña Tondonia 6º Año 1964

Wine: Viña Tondonia 6º Año 1964

Winery: R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacho, 10% Mazuelo, 10% Graciano.
ABV: — (Not specified)

Winemaking

The wine remained for 6 months in old 6,000-liter oak vats without temperature control to complete malolactic fermentation. It underwent five years of aging in used 225-liter American oak barrels, with two rackings performed each year. Fined with fresh egg whites and bottled directly from the barrel without filtration. It rested for a minimum of 6 months in the bottle racks prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Reddish-ruby color with medium depth; limpid, brilliant, and remarkably stable without sediment. Vivid, effulgent amber reflections. Marked sense of density with thick, persistent tears. Wide rim with coppery-iodized tones.

 

Nose: Extreme and expressive, showing great initial power. Everything revolves around an intense earthy character, revealing registers of shaded forest floor, leaf litter, and humus. This is joined by high-quality candied fruit (quince, orange peel) that becomes increasingly present and citric. Very refined, smoky, and creamy, featuring an elegant reductive background of old leather, tung oil, and tobacco leaf.

 

Palate: Pure joy on the palate. Extremely vivid, energetic, and tense, with an acidity that compensates for any potential imbalance from its years in the bottle. Ample, savory, and acidulous; filled with spicy, reduced red fruit. Perfectly arranged, displaying great elegance and roundness with velvety, caressing tannins.

 

Commentary

Finding a 1964 within the "mountains" of Tondonia 6º Año bottles still available is a rare feat, and the reasons are evident in the glass. While these non-vintage blends often suffered from excessive uniformity, this bottle presents itself as a true "vintage" wine, bearing the unmistakable imprint of the legendary 1964 harvest. A vibrant and energetic red that stands as a mandatory experience for those who seek the soulful history of Haro.

 

Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Average: 93