2012 R. Lopez de Heredia, Rioja, Tondonia Reserva - Magnum

R. Lopez de Heredia upholds a steadfast traditionalism, farming their own vineyards organically and employing native yeasts for fermentation in ancient oak vats, ensuring authenticity to their foundational 1880s doctrine. The Viña Tondonia, their emblematic vineyard in Rioja Alta, features over 100 hectares of alluvial clay and limestone soils situated in a unique shell-shaped depression on the Ebro's right bank, a terroir renowned for yielding wines with inherent acidity and structure. Following a blend predominantly of Tempranillo, with Garnacho, Mazuelo, and Graciano, the wine undergoes prolonged aging in American oak barrels, a meticulous process central to its structural development and eventual complexity. The 2012 vintage, rated "Very Good," saw a drought-impacted growing season mitigated by late September rains, which promoted excellent berry health and a balanced polyphenolic profile. This confluence of factors yielded a Reserva with significant structural integrity, defined by firm tannins and persistent acidity that underscore its considerable longevity.