R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Rosado Gran Reserva 2012
- Region
- Spain » Rioja DOC
- Type
- rose still, dry
- Producer
- Vintage
- 2012
- Grapes
- Tempranillo, Garnacha, Viura
- Alcohol
- 12.5
- Sugar
- 2.5
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Cellar
- not available
- Find at
Viña Tondonia Rosado is a blend of Garnacha (60%), Tempranillo (30%), and Viura (10%). It matured in American oak barrels for four years before being bottled. Then it spent a few years in the winery before its release. And 2012 is the most recent one. In total, López de Heredia produced 15,000 bottles.
Ratings
No surprises here, Rosado Gran Reserva stands out as arguably one of the best rosé wines in the world (at least among the ones I've tasted, though my experience is somewhat limited, so take my assessment lightly). It presents a captivating bouquet of Sicilian orange, caramel, red flowers, wet cellar, salted nuts, and a hint of raw meat. The wine is remarkably fresh and youthful, yet complex, sophisticated, and well-structured. Its mineral character shines through, leading to a long and delicious finish. A truly exceptional rosé.
In my opinion, this stands as one of the finest rosé wines, striking a balance between seriousness and approachability, unlike the more overwhelming styles of Chivite or Cibonne.
It showcases a vibrant array of aromas including grapefruit, Sicilian orange, caramel, curry, red flowers, a wet cellar note, salted nuts, and a hint of meat. On the palate, it's mineral-rich, complex, and fresh, yet demanding and delicious. There's an intriguing note of blood adding depth. The wine is beautifully crafted, delicate, and complex. Its multilayered character reminds me of a still Champagne, exuding elegance and sophistication.
Unique rosé. It's complex (neutral connotation) and demanding. A bit restrained bouquet of orange peel (like in cocktails, lol), caramel, curry, red berries, red flowers and Jerez. Fresh, almost perfectly balanced, and voluminous with a long persistent aftertaste. Flavours of grapefruit, wet cellar and red currant.
Not your typical rosé, isn't it? Beautiful, complex and multilayered. A wonderful bouquet of caramel, red fruits, field flowers, grapefruit and butter. Fresh and almost perfectly balanced with the right volume and a long persistent aftertaste. Great.
About Producer
We are in Haro, the mythical capital of the Rioja Alta region. Its ascension to a prestigious winemaking region was ignited by phylloxera. A curious insect, brought by accident from North America to Europe, devasted vineyards across the continent. The Great French Wine Blight drove many winemakers to alternative regions. The French settled in Rioja because they found potential there.
Rioja, like many other regions, has seen its ups and downs, reflecting Spain's history. Though, having potential is not enough. The wine doesn't make itself. Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta was an enthusiastic student when French negociants visited Rioja in search of alternative grape sources. He followed their footsteps and fell in love with Haro as he saw potential in the combination of soil and climate. Around 1877 he began the design and construction of the complex, known today as the López de Heredia bodega, the oldest in Haro and one of the first three houses in the Rioja region.
López de Heredia is famous for being true to their heritage and house style. Unprecedented old-school wine, a time machine trapped in a bottle. Today, María José López de Heredia runs the bodega. She says "tradition" doesn't mean immobility or opposition to change. The world and nature follow their own rhythm. So they need to be flexible while maintaining eternal principles and criteria.
López de Heredia produces wines in four ranges - Viña Tondonia, Viña Bosconia, Viña Cubillo and Viña Gravonia. All are named after vineyards.
Viña Cubillo has only one wine - a red Crianza. The three years that Cubillo spends in cask, plus four to five years in bottle before release, exceeds the legal levels for even Gran Reserva.
Viña Gravonia also consists of only one wine - a white Crianza. It is 100% Viura from 24 ha in the Gravonia (Zaconia) vineyard near the banks of the river Ebro. This vineyard ticks every conceivable box to produce white grapes which achieve ripeness and intricate character. It is further enhanced by four years in a cask and at least the same again resting in a bottle before release.
Viña Bosconia has two variants - Reserva and Gran Reserva. The former appears in a Burgundy bottle. It could be a hint of the elegant yet full-bodied wine within. The Gran Reserva is made only in exceptional years and is released only 20 years after the vintage.
Viña Tondonia is the most famous and largest set of vineyards of López de Heredia. It's made up of 100 ha of red and white grapes. Five wines are produced: Tinto Reserva, Tinto Gran Reserva, Blanco Reserva, Blanco Gran Reserva and Rosado Gran Reserva.