2010 R. Lopez de Heredia, Tondonia Tinto Reserva, Rioja

R. López de Heredia is the oldest family-owned bodega in Haro, Rioja Alta, and has been producing wine with a focus on traditional, long-aged methods since its founding in 1877. Made from a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo, this wine is sourced from the estate’s iconic Tondonia vineyard, characterized by its alluvial clay and limestone soils located along the Ebro River. In the glass, it reveals a complex, developed profile with notes of dried cherry, leather, tobacco, and forest floor, all supported by a firm, elegant structure. The 2010 vintage was officially rated as “Excellent” in Rioja, providing the optimal conditions that resulted in the wine’s notable balance and freshness. This is a ready-to-enjoy bottle that also possesses the structural integrity for further cellaring, offering immense value for those seeking a benchmark of classic Rioja.