R. López de Heredia
About López de Heredia
An exemplary producer of traditional Rioja, López de Heredia was founded by Don Rafael López de Heredia in 1877, shortly after the phylloxera outbreak forced the French to explore neighbouring Spain for alternative sources of quality grapes. 4 generations and more than 140 years later, López de Heredia continues making wine in pretty much the same way as before, and “can make a very good claim to be the only producer whose philosophy focuses on a blend of tradition and tradition” (Simon Field MW, Decanter).
The only bodega to be awarded a "Diploma de Garantía" (Diploma of Guarantee, displayed on all back labels) from Rioja’s regulating body for using only native grapes since its founding, López de Heredia is also the sole bodega in Spain to hand-craft all their barrels.
Viniculture
Today, the observation tower he designed to watch the vines is still a local landmark. Lopez de Heredia makes great traditional red and white Rioja. The white is particularly rare as most white Rioja is a young modern style. The wine is aged in large Bordeaux sized barrels from old mostly American oak, in their warren-like cellars.

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Inc. TAX€1,764.50
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Wine Advocate (96+)
The 2010 Viña Tondonia Rosado Gran Reserva was hitting on all cylinders. It was produced with 60% Garnacho (they use the masculine of the name here), 30% Tempranillo and 10% white Viura from vines averaging 91 years of age. Like all the wines, it fermented with indigenous yeasts (they have never used selected yeasts) in the 142 oak vats they have used since the beginning and then matured in old American oak barrels for four years. There is tons of complexity and nuance here; it's super elegant and layered, and as the wine sat in the glass, it developed more and more complex aromas, a subtle combination of balsam, red acid berries, a hint of medicine, fennel and wet chalk, a diesel-like touch, old wood and mushroom (beetroot?), licorice and yellow flowers, sweet spices... There's a lot more of everything. It's clean and crystalline, fresh and long, with terrific balance and depth. This has to be the finest rosado of recent times... 25,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2016. The Gran Reserva wines from López de Heredia come back to the market with the heralded 2001 vintage. Otherwise, when I asked them about news, the answer was "We continue making Viña Tondonia as we have always done." Basically, they are against change... From their 170 hectares of vineyards, 124 are currently in production, from which they produce around 400,000 bottles. They are the most traditional among Rioja traditionalists.Inc. TAX€928.52 -
Inc. TAX€539.65
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Inc. TAX€295.70
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Inc. TAX€376.10
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Inc. TAX€859.70
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Inc. TAX€859.70
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Inc. TAX€705.08
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Wine Advocate (95)
The red flagship 2006 Viña Tondonia Reserva was inspired by the vineyards of the Médoc but produced with local grapes, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, which achieved 13% alcohol in 2006. It always matures in used American oak barriques for some six years. The oldest of all the reds I tasted, it was also the one with more freshness, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. This takes the lion's share of the 400,000 bottles the winery produces, with some 220,000 bottles filled over a period of 12 consecutive days in May 2014.Inc. TAX€268.52 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Following the appreciation of the 2007 vintage from María José López de Heredia, the red 2007 Viña Tondonia Reserva is showing great, revealing unusual finesse and elegance. The nose is a little reticent but nuanced and complex, a little shy rather than explosive. The palate is medium-bodied, and the tannins are very refined. This has to be one of the finest vintages of Viña Tondonia Reserva of recent years. 200,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2015.Inc. TAX€350.12 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Tondonia's reds have been on an upward curve recently and are now at the same level as the bodega's world-class whites. This is a fine, elegant, savoury, low-alcohol blend of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Mazuelo and Graciano, combining summer berry fruit, racy acidity, granular tannins and an earthy, balsamic undertone. Good now, but this will develop further in bottle.Inc. TAX€330.92 -
Tim Atkin MW (94)
Serious and concentrated, at least by the standards of some López de Heredia reds, this reflects the heat of the 2009 vintage. Tempranillo-based with 30% Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo, it’s spicy, savoury and high toned with grippy tannins, layers of tobacco and red fruits and classic, supporting acidity. 2021-30Inc. TAX€588.64 -
Inc. TAX€726.64
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2010 was an absolutely superb year in Rioja, with most estates producing ripe, balanced wines that are fresh and focused on the palate. Declared as an “excellent” vintage by both Decanter and the Rioja DOC Board, the Wine Advocate gave the 2010 vintage a rating of 95 points, the region's highest vintage rating since their records started with the 1970 vintage.2010 was an absolutely superb year in Rioja, with most estates producing ripe, balanced wines that are fresh and focused on the palate. Declared as an “excellent” vintage by both Decanter and the Rioja DOC Board, the Wine Advocate gave the 2010 vintage a rating of 95 points, the region's highest vintage rating since their records started with the 1970 vintage.Inc. TAX€311.72
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James Suckling (95)
A traditional beauty that effuses iron, warm earth and savory tobacco leaves, together with plums, spices and orange zest. This is juicy and still tight, with firm but savory tannins. Medium-weight and quite zesty in texture, as is the case with the other López de Heredia reds tasted this session. Drink now or hold.Inc. TAX€314.90
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In Bond€1,455.00
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Wine Advocate (96+)
The 2010 Viña Tondonia Rosado Gran Reserva was hitting on all cylinders. It was produced with 60% Garnacho (they use the masculine of the name here), 30% Tempranillo and 10% white Viura from vines averaging 91 years of age. Like all the wines, it fermented with indigenous yeasts (they have never used selected yeasts) in the 142 oak vats they have used since the beginning and then matured in old American oak barrels for four years. There is tons of complexity and nuance here; it's super elegant and layered, and as the wine sat in the glass, it developed more and more complex aromas, a subtle combination of balsam, red acid berries, a hint of medicine, fennel and wet chalk, a diesel-like touch, old wood and mushroom (beetroot?), licorice and yellow flowers, sweet spices... There's a lot more of everything. It's clean and crystalline, fresh and long, with terrific balance and depth. This has to be the finest rosado of recent times... 25,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2016. The Gran Reserva wines from López de Heredia come back to the market with the heralded 2001 vintage. Otherwise, when I asked them about news, the answer was "We continue making Viña Tondonia as we have always done." Basically, they are against change... From their 170 hectares of vineyards, 124 are currently in production, from which they produce around 400,000 bottles. They are the most traditional among Rioja traditionalists.In Bond€758.00 -
In Bond€442.00
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In Bond€231.00
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In Bond€298.00
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In Bond€701.00
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In Bond€701.00
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In Bond€585.00
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Wine Advocate (95)
The red flagship 2006 Viña Tondonia Reserva was inspired by the vineyards of the Médoc but produced with local grapes, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo, which achieved 13% alcohol in 2006. It always matures in used American oak barriques for some six years. The oldest of all the reds I tasted, it was also the one with more freshness, which speaks to the quality of the vineyard. This takes the lion's share of the 400,000 bottles the winery produces, with some 220,000 bottles filled over a period of 12 consecutive days in May 2014.In Bond€208.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Following the appreciation of the 2007 vintage from María José López de Heredia, the red 2007 Viña Tondonia Reserva is showing great, revealing unusual finesse and elegance. The nose is a little reticent but nuanced and complex, a little shy rather than explosive. The palate is medium-bodied, and the tannins are very refined. This has to be one of the finest vintages of Viña Tondonia Reserva of recent years. 200,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in November 2015.In Bond€276.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (97)
Tondonia's reds have been on an upward curve recently and are now at the same level as the bodega's world-class whites. This is a fine, elegant, savoury, low-alcohol blend of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Mazuelo and Graciano, combining summer berry fruit, racy acidity, granular tannins and an earthy, balsamic undertone. Good now, but this will develop further in bottle.In Bond€260.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (94)
Serious and concentrated, at least by the standards of some López de Heredia reds, this reflects the heat of the 2009 vintage. Tempranillo-based with 30% Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo, it’s spicy, savoury and high toned with grippy tannins, layers of tobacco and red fruits and classic, supporting acidity. 2021-30In Bond€459.00 -
In Bond€574.00
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2010 was an absolutely superb year in Rioja, with most estates producing ripe, balanced wines that are fresh and focused on the palate. Declared as an “excellent” vintage by both Decanter and the Rioja DOC Board, the Wine Advocate gave the 2010 vintage a rating of 95 points, the region's highest vintage rating since their records started with the 1970 vintage.2010 was an absolutely superb year in Rioja, with most estates producing ripe, balanced wines that are fresh and focused on the palate. Declared as an “excellent” vintage by both Decanter and the Rioja DOC Board, the Wine Advocate gave the 2010 vintage a rating of 95 points, the region's highest vintage rating since their records started with the 1970 vintage.In Bond€244.00
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James Suckling (95)
A traditional beauty that effuses iron, warm earth and savory tobacco leaves, together with plums, spices and orange zest. This is juicy and still tight, with firm but savory tannins. Medium-weight and quite zesty in texture, as is the case with the other López de Heredia reds tasted this session. Drink now or hold.In Bond€247.00