R. López de Heredia, Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva, Rioja, Spain, 2010

Overview of the Wine
It all started in the middle of the nineteenth century when French negociants visited the Rioja region to find alternative sources of quality grapes to transform into wine, since the phylloxera epidemic had decimated their vineyards. Our founder, Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, a knowledgeable and enthusiastic student in the art of wine making, followed closely in their footsteps.
Don Rafael fell in love with the region and especially the area around Haro, the mythical capital of the Rioja Alta region. He observed that there was a magical combination of soil and climate that would offer the perfect environment for producing wine that would eventually become world famous. Around 1877 he began the design and construction of the complex that is today known as the López de Heredia bodega (winery), the oldest in Haro and one of the first three houses in the Rioja region.

For over a century our emotions have been rooted in our love and passion for this land and its harvest. We cherish our heritage, and this combination of love and the rigorous quality standards we apply, have become our trademark and remains our maxim for today and the future.

Bodegas López de Heredia stands out as one of the few family-run bodegas regulated by the Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja - DOC (Appellation region).

A year officially rated as VERY GOOD. The year passed without severe climatological incidents, in lack of spring frost; but denoted with abundant spring precipitations and after the harvest. However, a mild and drier summer favoured the growth and health of the grapes; which led to a not very abundant, but lightly superior harvest than the previous one with similar quality. The weather conditions were exceptionally favourable during all the final phase of the vegetative cycle, something that is always decisive for the quality of the harvest. Our vineyard enjoyed the optimal conditions necessary to get a health state of the fruit almost perfect; and with balanced parameters of colour, acidity, degree of alcohol and balance during the maturation. All of these characteristics let us get a high quality harvest with a little inferior final volume compared to previous years.

Grape / Blend
Viura and Malvasia Bianca

Origin
Rioja, Spain

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
A fresh and complex nose of floral notes, pear, and stone fruits. The results of bottle aging are felt on the palate: wet rocks, white flowers, and earthy notes abound, and nuanced, savory mushroom flavors dance along with yellow pears and dried apples. Sip and savor with lemon pepper wings like a true Atlanta wine aficionado.

98 Points - James Suckling 
Complex and evolved nose of candied citrus, fig, burnt orange, walnut, toast, dried tobacco and salted caramel. Medium-to full-bodied with bright acidity. Concentrated, layered and delicious with a nutty and saline finish. Phenolic and structured. Keeps going. Drink now or hold.

96 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2010 was one of the finest vintages in recent times, and the 2010 Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva is the textbook fine and elegant white where the 90% Viura is complemented by the 10% Malvasía and, according to María José López de Heredia, gives a mellower profile (honey and some more creaminess) and compensates for the bitter almond notes of Viura and the austerity, making the wine a little rounder. This is a phenomenal vintage of the white Tondonia, vibrant, balanced and fresh. 16,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2018. Drink: 2022-2032.

Product size: 750ml