López de Heredia’s Reservas – Viña Bosconia and Viña Tondonia – have been iconic since these vineyards were planted over 100 years ago. This is a bodega where patience is rewarded, tradition is quietly followed, and history is revered.
‘One of the truly great Spanish wines, Viña Tondonia remains a must-have in the cellars of all dedicated enthusiasts,’ says Decanter, who laud their 2012 as ‘the wine to try before you die’.
The wines come from vineyards planted to Tempranillo (the majority of the blend), Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo, and both are aged for about 12 years before release. They’re beautiful old-school Riojas, with notes of cedar, tobacco, black cherries, plum, violet, graphite and umami, supported by grippy, finessed tannins.
The Viña Bosconia Reserva, in its Burgundy-shaped bottle, is generally a softer, more delicate and lush expression of the Rioja Alta sub-region terroir. The Viña Tondonia Reserva on the other hand, in a claret-shaped bottle, is more muscular, structured, and superbly elegant. It’s usually aged for a year longer than the Bosconia.
López de Heredia was founded in 1877 and is currently run by fourth-generation María José and Mercedes López de Heredia, who look after every aspect in the vineyard and winery. They handcraft all their own barrels, and this is the only bodega to receive the ‘Diploma de Garantía’ (Diploma of Guarantee) from Rioja’s regulating body for using only native grapes since its founding.
Check out their Gran Reserva pack here.
Tasting Notes:
López de Heredia Viña Bosconia Reserva 2013
‘Savoury berries, preserved plums, iron, orange peel, dry earth, walnut husks, graphite and mussel shells. Full-bodied with depth and excellent structure. Tannins are grippy yet fine-grained and juicy, with a long, bright finish. A select, concentrated vintage.’ – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 95/100
López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva 2012
‘Savory berries, plums, iron, minerals, tobacco, ink and blood oranges. Very bright, juicy and structured, with sensational balance, aged savoriness and brightness that are typical of Tondonia reds. Beautiful now.’ – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 96/100
