Viña Tondonia Rioja Rosé Blend

Vintage 2010 | autumn leaves, stewed pear, cinnamon, nice bitters

One of a kind

My first bottle of this inimitable rosé and what a weirdo it was (in a good way of course). The nose reminded me of a cross between fino sherry, blanc de noir, and riesling - nuts, herbs, spices, dried strawberries, granny smith apple, orange peel, peach, petrol, and damp wood. Gosh, it's mind-boggling. The fino sherry theme continued on the palate, with a distinct salinity and steeliness that's steady and regular from start to end. The texture is silky, and finish crescendo-like, built on citrus freshness, red berried flavours, and salted fruit skin preserves. It just keeps gaining complexity as the night progressed, and would be interesting to see with an overnight slow-ox. Unfortunately, it paired incredibly well with some fried chicken that showed up on the table, so it was deemed gone. A one on the binary scale!

Nutty, rich and creamy, but tense and tingling with blood orange, cranberry and strawberry. Plenty of cedar, vanilla and baking spice, wet animal and all that other good Lopez stuff.

Upon opening, the aromatics had a distinct petrol/Riesling like flair to it. After 30mins of being open, it got fleshier and blossomed. A somewhat maderized/oxidized black cherry and rhubarb spice on the nose with a whiff of fino sherry. Palate is ever changing with tangerine, roasted orange marmalade, some sort of Italian herbs, and brown sugar coated raspberries. Excellent acidity here. Juicy without being flabby or sharp. I suggest letting this breathe an hour or so before consuming.

Vintage 2010 | Not everyone’s friend, a style in it’s own - acquired taste. Very brownish red colour. Expressive smell, overripe pear, starting with high bitters. Old wood, mocca. Beautiful expression and balance, dinnerwine. Great effort.

Let’s just say that this is not your average pink blush, this very unique Rosé from the grand master of Rioja, R Lopez de Heredia, is absolutely outstanding. An admirable wine with a meditative aura. Perhaps the best (non-Champagne) Rosé that I’ve encountered.
The 2010 (!) vintage was aged for 4 years in old American oak and 7 years in bottle. Despite its age the fruit profile is shining with a very intense profile of dried strawberries, orange zest, toffee, fennel seeds, before revealing its mature side with an elegant portion of potting soil, tobacco and a slight minty volatile lift.
Extraordinary concentration on the palate, full bodied and well built with a creamy toffee like mid palate. But there is nerve and tension in the center with a slight grip that brings balance and nuance across a complex evolving finish

@Severn Goodwin doesn’t know I lifted this from his cellar. Far too pricey for a Rose.

As different as the most considered typical Rose.

Splendid but, if you are expecting Bandol or new world, this is probably not for you.

I entitled this bottle shot, Roses for Rasado.

Notes of sherry, vermouth, rhubarb, concentrated British tea sack. Geraniums & pink Roses. Gravel powder, dry top soil, burnt, brown sugar, blood orange, underripe pink grapefruit, dry floral bouquet. Excellent, well balanced finished.

Crazy good change of pace.

Top photos from my 2015 visit. Great historical stop in Haro.

Our fair and humble state just received our meager allocation of this elusive wine just before the holidays and I swooped up a couple bottles for myself with plans to drink one early and cellar the other. This bottle was a not part of those plans. No, this bottle was generously offered by the Somm at V. Mertz for just a fraction over retail which was fantastic because now I could try the wine and not feel obligated to dip into my own bottles! In the words of Charlie Sheen, “Winning!” The color of copper River salmon at the core and an almost orange color at the rim. The nose was predominately blood orange and grapefruit with some red cherries for good measure. On the palate, cherries, citrus, and fruit pound cake, no cap. Incredible texture with the sensation almost that of a weighted blanket of flavor for the tongue which, is somewhat of a mind trick since you expect something much lighter due to the color. The finish is oh so long and oh so lovely. A lovely, if not singular Rosé that happened to be a perfect pairing with lunch.

Red and yellow flowers, strawberry cream, touch of hazelnut and marshmallow... slightly oxidized character...interested to see if this develops further.