Wines Rioja López de Heredia - Viña Tondonia Reserva - 2009

Viniou Reviews

López de Heredia’s Viña Tondonia Reserva 2009 from Rioja is a distinguished red wine crafted principally from Tempranillo, supplemented by Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo. This Reserva-level cuvée represents the classical style of Rioja: after hand-harvest, the grapes undergo traditional vinification with long, gentle maceration and extended ageing in old American oak barrels for around six years, followed by further bottle maturation. The wine presents a complex, evolved bouquet featuring dried cherries, tobacco leaves, vanilla, leather, and earthy notes, underpinned by a lively acidity and refined, velvety tannins. 2009 was a warm and balanced vintage, yielding wines with both generosity and structure, which gives this Reserva remarkable approachability but also potential for further development in bottle.

The Rioja region, located in northern Spain along the Ebro river, is famed for its Atlantic and Mediterranean climatic influences. The region benefits from warm days and cool nights, which help retain the grapes’ freshness and aromatics. The soils in the Rioja Alta area, where Viña Tondonia is situated, are predominantly clay-limestone, supporting the development of exceptionally elegant and age-worthy wines. Rioja’s history is steeped in tradition and innovation, and López de Heredia, established in the 19th century, stands among the oldest and most respected bodegas, unwaveringly committed to time-honoured techniques.

This elegant and layered Rioja Reserva pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes. To stay in tune with regional Spanish cuisine, savour it alongside slow-cooked lamb, roast suckling pig, or traditional tapas such as albondigas (Spanish meatballs) or chorizo in red wine. It also shines with game birds, mature cheeses like Manchego, or mushroom risotto, as the wine’s earthiness complements umami elements.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this Rioja Reserva at 16-18°C. Decanting for an hour will help the wine reveal its full aromatic complexity. Though already enjoyable, this bottling will continue to evolve gracefully over the next decade, rewarding patient cellaring.