R Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Rioja Reserva 2008

This classic Rioja Reserva is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. It spends six years in barrels, giving the wine time to develop vanilla notes and soft tannins. The wine is lively for being aged 12 years, with dried cherry, licorice and strawberry flavors.

Tim Atkin MW – 97 points

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. 2020-28.”