Planted 110 years ago, the Tondonia vineyard lies on the right bank of the River Ebro and the entire area belongs to López de Heredia. Viña Tondonia wines are always complex, spicy and lively, and the Gran Reserva is only made here in outstanding years and is released on the market almost 20 years after the harvest. In so many years, wineries are being rebuilt, they change styles and sometimes even owners. But not at López de Heredia, which is managed by the world's most patient winemakers. The 2004 vintage was celebrated throughout Rioja, with content winemakers and a long, calm harvest. The current Gran Reserva is a blend of Graciano, Garnacha and Mazuelo, in addition to the 70% of Tempranillo. The vinification is carried out in the same way as in the case of the Reserva: after destemming, the varieties are fermented with maceration, blended, and then they are poured into barrels at the deepest point of the cellar. The main thing comes after that, the wines stay there for 10 years, they are moved twice a year, at which time they are racked off from the barrels and refined with egg whites. The unfiltered bottling is followed by another 9-10 years of bottle ageing.

It would be difficult to single out one detail from such a complex wine. The colour that plays between amber and pomegranate, the perfumed nose, the full, round, yet light palate all play an equally important role. We recommend it to everyone who is moved by ancient family estates and their mature wines. The greatest of all authentic and oxidative Riojas.