Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Reserva 2007 (750ML)

95 Points, Zachys Buying Team: "Tasted two times and we upgraded our review and feelings on this wine. It is without a doubt a worthy follow-up to the monumental 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, and if you are a traditional Rioja puritist you will once again appreciate this overachieving Reserva that arrives with 13 years of age. The wine captures all the rustic nuances of Old World Rioja, but with the cooler vintage there is more delineated fruit to provide some finesse and crispness with elegance to this medium bodied frame. And with this vintage you really feel the Bordeaux like structure and influence in the Viña Tondonia. With recommended aeration, the telltale nuances that define this wine begin to reveal themselves once again here on the nose, beginning with coffee, tea, spice, red and black fruits. After an hour of breathing the aromatics scream across the table. On the palate they are just as inspiring as the flavor spectrum is well represented with succulent blackberries, cherry, dried figs, black tea, iron, tomato leaf, Indian spice, a touch of dill, chalky minerality and savory notes that will transport you to Rioja. It is another classic expression from the historic Bodega marked by lively acidity." 2/2020

96 Points, Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker's Advocate: "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." 06/19

95 Points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com: "This wine spends six years in barrique (tradtionally it needed six winters to stabilize naturally), before racking into large casks and then bottling three years before the expected release. Attractive, dark earth and dried sage with a strong aroma of attractive, rich dried cherries, as well as blackberries and hints of cedar, cigar tobacco and fresh leather. The palate has a smooth array of fine but quite powerful tannin that builds seamlessly into the long, rich, dark cherry-flavored finish. Great wine! Drink or hold." 07/19