Andrew Formi

8.9

Thanks Pax!!!! — a month ago

Ericsson

9.8

Just visited Vina Tondonia in Rioja and it is a privilege to try this gem of wine, it is one of the most sought after white wines in the world. Released with a minimum of twelve years of ageing at the winery, and composed of Viura and a touch of Malvasia from the iconic vineyard at the banks of the Ebro. This one is twenty one years old to be exact. Enjoying this wine is a near-ethereal experience to say the least. It’s an intellectual wine, it's a fun wine, it’s great with food, but most of all, it's f-en good! Had this with a variety of Spanish cheeses + Spanish lechon taco and it was enlightening.

The color is deep gold with amber reflections, showcasing its extensive age. The nose is exceptionally complex and captivating. The nose has aromas of dried apricots, bruised apples, orange marmalade, and chamomile blend with savory notes of toasted almonds, beeswax, and antique wood. There is a hint of baking spices, and an intriguing saline minerality. The palate is rich, layered, and full-bodied, yet surprisingly fresh given its age. Flavors of preserved lemon, dried pineapple, and caramelized nuts intertwine elegant oxidative tones. The wine’s acidity is bright and precise, creating remarkable tension against the creamy depth. The texture is both oily and firm, leading to a gripping, mineral-driven finish. The finish is incredibly long and evolving, leaving impressions of dried fruit, bitter almond, and a distinct, almost Sherry-like salinity. @delectable — a year ago

Daniel Jara

9.0

Excelente! Suave al paladar , mejorando su personalidad con El Paso de los minutos — 4 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Barón de Ley – Varietales Tempranillo – 2014
Rioja DOCa – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A 100% Tempranillo from Rioja’s esteemed Barón de Ley Varietales Collection, crafted to highlight the noble face of the region’s flagship grape. Although structured in a crianza style with a projected drinking window of 10–12 years, opening it in 2025 revealed the wine perched right on the twilight edge of maturity. This is bottle #04400, now showing the soulful evolution that Rioja Tempranillo is famed for.

Aromas & Flavors
Initially faint cherry fruit, now firmly in the tertiary spectrum: leather satchel, dried rosemary, forest floor, and faint cigar box. Gentle hints of balsamic and dried fig linger in the background.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with softened, polymerized tannins. Acidity remains fresh enough to carry the wine, but fruit presence has largely faded, leaving savory and earthy notes to dominate.

Food Pairings
A fine match for aged Manchego cheese, braised lamb shank, mushroom-stuffed peppers, or even a rustic stew where earthy and herbal notes harmonize.

Verdict
This Tempranillo no longer plays its youthful cherry trumpet but rather resonates like the old violin sound of Rioja—mellow, textured, and contemplative. A fascinating study in maturity, best enjoyed with reflection rather than exuberance.

Did You Know?
Rioja wines are often classified not just by grape but by aging designations (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva). This bottle leaned into crianza timing, showing beautifully at first but demonstrating how Tempranillo gracefully transitions from fruit-driven vibrancy to complex tertiary elegance. — 7 months ago

Joss Salgado

9.0

Good tannins and acidity but very well balanced and structured. Red and dark fruits, baked spices, cinnamon and a whiff of leather. Delicious wine! — 4 years ago

Diego Escudero

9.0

Negroni con Fam — 5 years ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.3

Strong powerful acid pushing lots of flavour 25yo — 8 months ago

A Tux

9.4

To Patti from R&B Feb 2025
Warming, smooth and leathery 👍 — a year ago

John W

8.9

Contino gran reserva - 2016- single vineyard near the Ebro River. Dark ruby. Some translucency. On the nose, forest floor, dark berries, minerals. On the palate, red fruits, vanilla, and strong acidity still. — 4 years ago

Gerard McDade

9.0

Typical Rioja - good value at £16 — 4 years ago