Introduction:
The 2012 Viña Tondonia Rioja Reserva from López de Heredia is one of Spain’s most iconic and traditionally made wines. It represents a timeless expression of Rioja, defined by long aging, restrained fruit, and profound tertiary complexity. This wine exemplifies patience, craftsmanship, and unwavering adherence to historical winemaking methods.

Terrior:
Viña Tondonia is located in the Rioja Alta near Haro, along the banks of the Ebro River. The vineyard’s alluvial soils—composed of clay, limestone, and gravel—combined with a continental climate moderated by Atlantic influence, promote slow ripening and high natural acidity. These conditions are ideal for producing wines of longevity, elegance, and layered savory nuance.

Appearance:
Medium garnet with pronounced brick and amber hues at the rim, fully transparent and evolved, reflecting extended barrel and bottle aging.

Nose:
Exceptionally complex and mature, offering aromas of dried cherry, red currant, and plum intertwined with leather, tobacco leaf, cedar, vanilla pod, and dried rose petals. Secondary notes of forest floor, balsamic, mushroom, and gentle oxidation add remarkable depth.

Palate:
Silky and refined, the palate is medium-bodied with resolved tannins and vibrant acidity. Flavors of dried red fruit, orange peel, tea leaf, and spice unfold gradually, supported by earthy undertones and subtle savory oxidation. The wine is harmonious, delicate, and persistent rather than powerful.

Finish:
Long, graceful, and savory, with lingering notes of dried fruit, cedar, leather, and gentle acidity that keeps the wine lifted and alive.

Food Pairings:

• Meat: Roast lamb with garlic, braised pork, veal stew

• Vegetarian: Mushroom risotto, lentils with herbs, roasted root vegetables

• Charcuterie Board: Jamón Ibérico, aged Manchego, marcona almonds

Overall Impression:
This 2012 Viña Tondonia Reserva is a masterclass in traditional Rioja, seamlessly weaving terroir, extended aging, and elegance into a wine of extraordinary balance and character. Its savory complexity, resolved structure, and vibrant acidity make it a superb companion to lamb, mushrooms, and aged cheeses, and a benchmark example of long-lived, food-driven Old World wine.

Alcohol by Volume (ABV %): 13.0%
Farming Practices: Sustainable, traditional viticulture
Producer Name: López de Heredia
Old World / New World: Old World
Country of Origin: Spain
Region: Rioja Alta, Rioja
Grape Varietals: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo
Vintage: 2012
Wine Style: Dry, traditionally aged, medium-bodied red wine
Winemaking Techniques: Long maceration, native yeast fermentation, extended aging in neutral American oak barrels, bottle aging prior to release
Pack Size: 750 mL
Container Style: Glass bottle
Closure Style: Natural cork

Sources:

• Bodega López de Heredia official producer tasting notes and technical sheets
• Rioja DOCa regional viticulture and classification information

 Check out the press!

96 points, James Suckling:
"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."
 
95 points, Vinous:
"The 2012 Viña Tondonia is a blend of tempranillo, garnacha, mazuelo, and graciano cultivated on the meander of the Ebro River in Rioja Alta. This garnet wine reveals aromas of ash and plum marmalade, with a faintly herbal core and hints of oaky cedar. Dry and lean, the fairly chalky texture lingers long, concluding with a compact, flavorful, and lasting finish. The 2012 is a beautiful old-school Rioja."

95 points, Wine Advocate:
 "The 2012 Viña Tondonia Reserva comes from a very dry year, with 25% less rain than the average (at the time), resulting in lower yields of very healthy grapes that delivered wines with nice balance between alcohol and polyphenols, making it very apt for aging in barrel. It had a slightly longer élevage in barrel, six years. The wine is aromatic with a developed profile, spicy and tertiary (forest floor, a touch of brick dust, and iodine), complex and nuanced. The palate is full and round, with polished tannins and a long, dry finish. It has a textbook Tondonia nose and profile."
 
94 points, Decanter:
"After six years in barrel (produced at López de Heredia's own cooperage) and three in bottle prior to release, this is all you can expect from a classical Viña Tondonia with its focused intensity and muscular yet super elegant tannins. Assertive but also super silky, with juicy fruit gliding through the palate while being pleasantly pulled back by an energetic, smoky verve. Broody while at the same time mature - another accomplished vintage of a true classic."