WTN: 2001 Lopez Heredia Tondonia Reserva

[Jenise]

Curious about Jody's and my separate recent experiences with oxidated bottles of this wine, I opened one from my stash last night. Verdict? No ox. Splendid wine, rather tight, youthful/not showing a lot of secondary development, definitely needs more time.

I've consumed two bottles of this, most recently a couple of weeks ago. No oxidization issues at all.

[Jenise]

Good, more proof that oxidation isn't 'normal' in younger LdH.

[David M. Bueker]

My dad had a mag of this recently. No reports of anything other than deliciousness.

I've only had one bottle of the 2001, so can't speak to this wine, but I think all Lopez de Heredia bottles are rife with oxidation and variability. I have the most experience with the Gravonia blanco - each bottle is a different wine - but the reds are less so, but still quite variable for reasons I don't understand.

When they are on they are incredible and very unique, but when they are not on, they are often oxidized. But I seem to be one of the few who think so. I asked a guide at the winery about variability, and she looked at me like I had two heads...

[David M. Bueker]

I won't speak to the Gravolnia, as I am not a fan of it to begin with, but let's realize that the Gran Reserva reds are normally 2-3 decades old on release! I see little to no meaningful variability in the Reserva wines, which are released earlier.

I have had both the 2002 Tondonia Reserva and the 2006 Cubillo Crianza and found them both noticeably oxidized. These were my first experience with LdH, and from what I had been told, was true to the norm. Hence my surprise at finding a 1994 Gran Reserva to drink fresher than either of them. I guess variability is something to look out for with these wines, and given their reputation, I'm surprised they have such a following if they are prone to this flaw.

[Jenise]

I guess variability is something to look out for with these wines, and given their reputation, I'm surprised they have such a following if they are prone to this flaw.

Leads one to suspect it's a chain of custody issue, doesn't it?

[Jenise]

When they are on they are incredible and very unique, but when they are not on, they are often oxidized. But I seem to be one of the few who think so. I asked a guide at the winery about variability, and she looked at me like I had two heads...

Back to what I said to Joy about chain of custody.

Btw, had a sensational 98 Gravonia Blanco a few weeks ago. Only bottle of that vintage I had, so had no idea if it would be a good bottle or not. Oh man was it good.

Btw, had a sensational 98 Gravonia Blanco a few weeks ago. Only bottle of that vintage I had, so had no idea if it would be a good bottle or not. Oh man was it good.

98 Gravonia is finally at a point where it doesn't need a day of breathing time to fill out. 96 takes a bit of coaxing still.

Guys,

While this thread is hot.
How would you prepare for drinking, i.e. Open, Ddecant, double decant the following Tondonia wines:

- Gran Reserva white 1991
- Gran Reserva red 1993/4
- Reserva Whilte 1998
- Reserva Red 2001 - Have a couple or bottles. Tasted twice in the last couple of years. Was a bit tight.

Should I open the older vitages soon, or wait a few more years.

Thanks,

Eli

[David M. Bueker]

There's no reason to rush on the older wines. No reason to wait either, as the estate releases them when they, the winemakers, feel they are ready to go.

[Jenise]

But perhaps these 01s aren't going to be very longlived. The bottle we opened for this report, we didn't finish. Last night we poured the rest thinking we'd have a glass with dinner--seriously oxidated.

[David M. Bueker]

2001 was a very successful vintage in Rioja.

I don't think I have ever had wine left over in an LdH bottle, so cannot speak to how they last overnight in good vintages or challenging ones.

As for the 2001 Tondonia Reserva, if you are interested in a data point, here is what Neal Martin said about it:

The 2001 Vina Tondonia Reserva is bridled with a lovely nose of decayed red fruit, fireside hearth, a touch of mulberry and small red cherry. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, crisp red fruits (wild strawberry and cranberry) with a sharp, vibrant, tense, tannic finish that has immense precision. There is a slight saline note lingering in the mouth after the wine has (regretfully) departed. Drink now-2030+ (95 Pts.)

[Jenise]

David, I understand. But truly, the bottle we opened this week would not have made it to 2030. I'll schedule the rest of mine for near-term drinking. Taking no chances.

Guys,

While this thread is hot.
How would you prepare for drinking, i.e. Open, Ddecant, double decant the following Tondonia wines:

- Gran Reserva white 1991
- Gran Reserva red 1993/4

The 1994 Gran Reserva red I had last week was great right out of the bottle into the glass. We decanted the rest of the bottle, assuming there would be sediment, but found very little. The wine improved slightly over a couple hours in the decanter, but was really impressive from the beginning. I wouldn't say decanting was absolutely necessary.

[Jenise]

Guys,

While this thread is hot.
How would you prepare for drinking, i.e. Open, Ddecant, double decant the following Tondonia wines:

- Gran Reserva white 1991
- Gran Reserva red 1993/4
- Reserva Whilte 1998
- Reserva Red 2001 - Have a couple or bottles. Tasted twice in the last couple of years. Was a bit tight.

Should I open the older vitages soon, or wait a few more years.

Thanks,

Eli

Eli, this thread is about the 01 Reserva Red. The bottle we opened on Monday night actually seemed a bit tight, but it oxidized rapidly in the bottle over the next two days. Clearly that bottle, and likely the rest of the bottles I have, aren't going to make the 2030 longevity estimate.

The others I can't speak to, but if the 98 Tondonia white is travelling at the same pace as the 98 Gravonia white, then it's just coming into a phase of brilliance. Re the 91, I don't know: I just ordered two bottles yesterday--if you find out, be sure to let me know. I did see a TN on the '81, however, which apparently is at optimum right now.

[David M. Bueker]

Just an FYI that there is a thread elsewhere on the wine web extolling the virtue of this wine, as well as how young and ageable it is. Go figure.

I really want to like Lopez de Heredia. On paper, they seem like my ideal wines, but I am often left puzzled by the experience. I've had a few stunners -- like the 1981 Bosconia Gran Reserva -- but too many of the reds have been overly austere for my palate. That said, I am big fan of LdH's whites.

I was Spain in the Spring of 2011 and the 2001 Lopez Heredia Tondonia Reserva was for sale all over the place (going for as little as $25 on restaurant wine lists), so I tried it 3-4 times. Boy, that wine was hard work even with food. Drinking it was a lot like biting a lemon and then licking a fresh-sawn oak board (minus the splinters). I was really considering buying some given the price, vintage and reputation, but those bottles in Spain scared me off.

[Jenise]

Just an FYI that there is a thread elsewhere on the wine web extolling the virtue of this wine, as well as how young and ageable it is. Go figure.

Amusing! I guess. I've had so many amazing LdH's, but if I had not and were to base my entire impression of LdH on my experiences with the 2001 Reserva, I would never buy LdH again.