Viña Tondonia 1987 Gran Reserva

Wine: Viña Tondonia 1987 Gran Reserva

Winery: R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 10% Graciano and Mazuelo.
ABV: 12% vol.

Winemaking

The wine remained for 6 months in wooden vats to complete malolactic fermentation. It matured for 8 years in old 225-liter American oak barrels crafted by the winery's own cooperage. The wine underwent two manual rackings per year. Fined with fresh egg whites. Bottled directly from the barrel without filtration, featuring a special wax seal for optimal preservation and evolution. It rested for a minimum of 44 months in the bottle prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Garnet-ruby color with medium depth; somewhat more extracted than other 1980s vintages from this label. Luminous and clean, featuring orange and coppery reflections. Wide, tawny/brick-colored rim, showing a marked contrast against the meniscus.

 

Nose: It closely recalls the 1985 Tondonia, both seemingly cut from the same cloth. Integral, expressive, and solid. Registers of leaf litter, damp earth, and red fruits (cherries in liqueur, sloes, candied fruit) predominate, alongside a misty abundance of spices in the background. Ample and mature, it gains very fine reductive details of great quality and elegance. Notes of English tobacco, dried petals, sage, creamy nuances, and wine-soaked staves emerge.

 

Palate: Completely resolved and round; ready to drink now, although with sound aging potential. It maintains a balance between finesse and vigor thanks to an energetic acidity that provides freshness, supported by a trail of fine wood that is pure luxury. Everything is perfectly measured and excellently resolved—fruit-forward, confit-like, and featuring caressing, creamy tannins. Highly enjoyable, though slightly inferior to the legendary '85.

 

Commentary

The 1987 Gran Reserva is one of those "invisible" vintages, similar to the 1976 or 1980, that seems to have slipped under the radar of most enthusiasts. It proves to be a highly consistent Tondonia that passes with flying colors, showcasing the reliable excellence of the winery’s 1980s production. It is a refined red that benefits from the house's signature long oxidative aging, resulting in a state of perfect harmony and "Riojan" soul.

 

Personal Score: 93
Tasting Group Average: 94