| | | | 2013 Lopez de Heredia
Rioja Viña Tondonia Reserva
$390 6-bottle-case
97 Points, Vinous
“A blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 10% Graciano and Mazuelo, grown in the calcareous soils of the Tondonia meander in Rioja Alta. Aged extensively in American oak, it offers restrained black fruit, wild herbs, balsamic hints and sweet spices with gentle cedar and vanilla notes. Medium-bodied with chalky grip and a layered, tertiary finish, this is a benchmark classic—refined, enduring and unmistakably Tondonia.”
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| | 6 magnums 2014 Lopez de Heredia
Rioja Viña Tondonia Reserva 1.5L
$175 magnum Rare in magnum size
95 Points, Wine Advocate
“The very pretty red 2014 Viña Tondonia Reserva is stunning. The blend this year is 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho and the rest Graciano and Mazuelo. It matured in the old oak vats and well-seasoned American oak barrels for eight years. María José told me she noticed the alcohol here compared with other vintages, but I found the wine to be really balanced, combining power and elegance, with energy and a polished and elegant palate.”
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| | 2018 Lopez de Heredia
Rioja Cubillo Crianza
$240 six-bottle-case 94+ Points, Wine Advocate
“Pretty and attractive, fresh and aromatic, floral, the result of a challenging year with lots of rain and high humidity. It's a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho and 5% each Graciano and Mazuelo that matured in a combination of oak vats and well-seasoned American oak barrels for six years. It's elegant and clean, with very fine tannins and a sleek, polished mouthfeel. This could be the finest Cubillo in recent times, and it's a bargain.”
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| | only 3 bottles 2014 Lopez de Heredia
Rioja Viña Tondonia Reserva White
$225 bottle 96 Points, JS, 96 Points, Vinous
“The 2014 Blanco Riserva Viña Tondonia is a blend of 90% Viura and 10% Malvasía from Haro, Rioja. Aged at least six years in foudres and two in the bottle, it has a golden hue with aromas of lemon peel, herbs, light resin and nutty hints over subtly integrated oak. Delicate and compact, with a fine chalkiness and a long, saline finish, this is a white that seamlessly marries supple texture and electric acidity.”
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| | only 6 bottles 2017 Lopez de Heredia
Rioja Gravonia Crianza White
$75 bottle 95 Points, Tim Atkin
“Something of a bargain among the López de Heredia whites, which have increased in price because of a combination of demand and high quality, this is a triumph over the heat and frost of 2017. Made from a parcel of 92-year-old Viura, it has flavours of salt, almond paste, citrus peel and beeswax, impressive extract and an enticingly bitter finish.”
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| | “I have adored, indeed occasionally worshiped, the wines of Lopez de Heredia for many years, so I am not ashamed to admit that visiting both their vineyard and their winery was a pilgrimage. Founded by Rafael Lopez de Heredia y Landeta in 1877, it has withstood the tide of corporatization and homogeneity, and epitomizes timeless, artisan winemaking in their own individual, almost solipsistic manner. Technology is noticeable by its absence here. Lopez de Heredia is the apotheosis of traditional, classic wines: taut, fresh, bucolic, utterly charming and amazingly long-lived.” — Neal Martin
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