Medium yellow. Leesy nose. Broad, chalky, and creamy. Dry, vanillin flavors and searing acidity. The only one of the whites with a touch of sherry oxidation. Very earthy finish. Overall, strangely evocative of Savennieres in its earthy, idiosyncratic nature.
Ruby. Medium weight (actually big for Heredia). All black fruit, creosote core, just a tad of some texture. Drying tannins, the barest hint of chocolate. This is way too young and harsh at the moment, and it seems atypically clunky and extracted for this property.
Leaning toward tawny color. Fragrant dried flowers. Lighter weight that is more typical than the previous wine. Briefly sweet entry but then a lean, much tarter feel and taste. Some noticeable volatile acidity. Good acidity. Dry, slightly astringent finish. I did not enjoy this as much as the last time I had it; this bottle showed worrisome signs of cracking up soon.
Light center. Pretty nose with some strawberry and soil. Light weight, elegant feel, herbal, high acidity. Much too young, gripping tannins give this a resoundingly austere finish. I wonder how (and if) this will come together. Not very pleasant now.
2003 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Gravonia
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Ripe, exotic fruit. Medium to full bodied with buttery oak. A touch of citrus, some acidity, and vintage considered, pretty lively.
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1998 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Medium yellow. Lighter weight than the 2003 Gravonia. Mineral and lemony with an herbal edge. Much less obvious wood. Dry, tight, long and very young.
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1996 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Medium yellow. Leesy nose. Broad, chalky, and creamy. Dry, vanillin flavors and searing acidity. The only one of the whites with a touch of sherry oxidation. Very earthy finish. Overall, strangely evocative of Savennieres in its earthy, idiosyncratic nature.
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