Dear *|FNAME|*,

Spain’s poster child for classical, traditional Rioja is Bodegas R. López de Heredia. Like Neal Martin, we ‘have adored, indeed occasionally worshipped, the wines of Lopez de Heredia for many years’.

As a special release from the legendary 2001 vintage, we’ve brought in a parcel of Viña Tondonia Reserva – their most famous vineyard and flagship wine – straight from their cellars! This has everything that we love about the oxidatively styled Viña Tondonia: elegance, umami and earthy notes, tobacco, black cherries, and lots of verve.

‘I had the chance to taste a bottle of the 2001 Viña Tondonia Reserva 10 years after it was released, and the wine has evolved beautifully and quite slowly,’ wrote Luis Gutiérrez of the Wine Advocate when he tasted it last year, scoring it a whopping 96+ points. This blend of 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo was fermented in 153-year-old oak vats, matured in barrel for 6 years, and then spent another 16 years in bottle.

López de Heredia’s wines have become almost unattainable. Luis Gutiérrez agrees, stating: ‘The wines are superb, but they are becoming scarce, and I think the situation will get even worse in the future.’  This is your chance to get your hands on a unicorn wine.

Since 1877, over four generations of López de Heredias have been making wine in the same patient way. ‘To capture the essence of Rioja one can’t change with every trend,’ says Maria José López de Heredia. ‘For us, tradition and conviction are life-long attitudes.’

The major difference between López de Heredia and the rest of Rioja is their traditional approach. Tempranillo is blended with Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, which produces a lighter, more ethereal style of red. The grapes are also picked at lower alcohols and the wines are aged for far longer than the appellation dictates.

They remain some of my favourite wines on the planet – enjoy!

View their new releases here: 2011 Tondonia, 2011 Bosconia, 2015 Cubillo.

Reply to this email or visit our website to place your order online.

Vinous regards,

Tasting notes

R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva 2001

‘I had the chance to taste a bottle of the 2001 Viña Tondonia Reserva 10 years after it was released, and the wine has evolved beautifully and quite slowly—at least that is the case for these bottles that have been kept in the winery for all these years. It's austere and elegant, with balance and concentration, polished tannins and a chalky texture, long tasty and dry. This is lively and should continue developing in bottle for quite some time.’ – Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate, 96+/100

‘Lots of dried fruits from pear and apples to all citrus. Honey undertones too. Full body, tangy fruit and acidity. Hints of limes and vanilla also. A fascinating wine. Drinking heritage.’ – James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, 95/100

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