R. Lopez de Heredia 'Viña Tondonia' Reserva 2011

Region: Rioja, Spain
Vineyard: Vina Tondonia
Grape(s): 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano
Winemaker: Maria Jose Lopez de Heredia
Drinks Best: Now - 5 Years

If you glance across this shelf, you’ll notice we’re big fans of the R. Lopez de Heredia wines. They make a number of different wines from a small handful of vineyards, and to sample through each one would give you a window into what happens when Rioja terroir meets traditionalist winemaking. Hailing from their 250-acre Tondonia vineyard, this Reserva spends six years maturing in used barrel followed by extensive bottle age prior to release. Surprisingly fresh for a wine of its age, it features notes of licorice and dried cherries with very elegant tannins that runs through the core of this medium-bodied wine.

Pairings: ’Patatas Bravas’ roasted in duck fat and served with Romesco sauce