Viña Tondonia 1995 Gran Reserva

Wine: Viña Tondonia 1995 Gran Reserva
Winery: R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia
Appellation: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and Mazuelo
ABV: 12%

Winemaking:
All grapes sourced from estate vineyards. Hand-harvested starting October 9th and transported in traditional comportas. The wine spent 6 months in wooden vats to complete fermentation. It was then aged for 10 years in seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels, crafted by the winery’s own cooperage, with two manual rackings (trasiegas) per year. Clarified with fresh egg whites and bottled directly from the cask without filtration. Sealed with a special wax capsule for optimal bottle evolution. Limited production of 24,687 bottles. It rested for a minimum of 10 years in the winery's subterranean cellars (calados) in Haro before its release in early 2016.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Ruby-red of medium-high depth; opaque and limpid with no sediment. Highlights of copper and garnet; brilliant and radiant. Narrow, saffron-colored rim. Very fine, persistent legs.

 

Nose: Good intensity; perfumed with vanilla and vegetal hints that provide a clear youthful aspect, contrasting with the maturity of the 1994 vintage. Serious, open, and fresh—not at all fatiguing. It reveals discrete notes of aromatic herbs, bay leaf, and a soft damp earth background that remains consistently in second place without dominating the ensemble. Utterly seductive.

 

Palate: Caressing, dry, and concentrated, bolstered by an intense acidity that infuses it with energy and freshness. It shows finesse and "impeccable manners." Luxurious, lustrous tannins of immense quality. Its extreme youth and solidity are surprising; it has yet to fully unfurl. An excellent investment for the next 20 years. Drinking it now is almost nonsensical, and assessing its full potential today would be premature. Tasted alongside the Tondonia 2004 Reserva and the Tondonia 1994 Gran Reserva. An extraordinary trio.

 

Personal Score: 92