
2013
Region
Spain › Rioja DOC
Type
white · still
Grapes
Macabeo, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
Alcohol
12.5%
Volume
750 mL
Sugar
2.5 g/L
Still Champagne, basically. Sophisticated, multilayered nose - damp cellar, proper cider character, bruised yellow fruits, honey cake. Nuts and spice threading through everything. Fresh on the palate despite the age, round and intense with near-perfect balance. The structure here is impressive, long flavourful finish that just lingers. Hard not to think this is what white Rioja should aspire to - López de Heredia at the top of their game. This isn't wine you analyze for flaws or virtues; this is wine you simply enjoy and feel grateful someone still makes them this way. Old school brilliance.
Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva is a Viura-based blend with only 10% of Malvasia - a rather rare grape in Rioja as it represents only 0.23% of Denomination's total cultivated area. The Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva spends six years in oak. Only 19,000 bottles produced. After bottling, the wine spends up to four years in a bottle to acquire a certain smoothness and a range of aromatic nuances.
What can I say? This is truly one of the finest white wines in its youth. Is it enjoyable? Without a doubt. It's unfortunate that it's so rare to find, as every drop is a celebration. The new release shows a slightly more oxidative style, reminiscent of a still Champagne. The nose is sophisticated and multilayered, with notes of damp cellar, cider, bruised yellow fruits, honey cake, nuts, and spices. On the palate, it is fresh, round, and intense, with an almost ideal balance, impressive structure, and a long, flavourful aftertaste. It's not about analyzing what's right or wrong with this wine---it's about pure enjoyment.
Viña Bosconia Reserva