1973 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia

Community Tasting Notes (50) Avg Score: 91.9 points

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  9/1/2023 - canan wrote: 94 Points

  Lopez di Heredia BYO (@MichaelsPlace): Cola, oak and vegetable stock but also a touch of herbs and elegant red berries. Some prune and mushroom flavors are also present indicating serious age.
  It does feel quite old and tired but it still maintains a solid intensity and depth.

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  3/23/2023 - honest bob wrote: 91 Points

  Tondonia Gran Reserva 1934 - 1973 - 1994: From 75cl, label shows this was bottled for the German market "ALK. 12% / Spanischer Rotwein" with foil capsule, good quality cork removed intact with no struggle using my ah-so. Decanted off light sediment and followed for 3 hours. Bright pale red (to orange at rim) not the only aspect of this wine which reminded us of a similarly old burgundy. Forest floor and mushroom scent with something urgently red-fruited pushing through; piercingly acidic entry with barely ripe redcurrant fruit and redcurrant-pip tannins on the mid-palate; vibrant and long. Several people at the table thought this was the WOTN, but I frankly found it thin, piercing and a tad rough, especially compared to the massive concentration and sheer brute force of the 1934 Tondonia GR. This 1973 was a fine "experience" but not one I have to repeat. 90-91P(?)

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  2/24/2023 - jkoenen wrote: 93 Points

  Cranberries, beef broth, tea leaves, chestnuts, freshness and acidic lift. Even improved 30 minutes after pulling the cork!
  Delightful. A joy to share this bottle with my - soon to be 50 yo - brother.

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  1/13/2023 - SimonG wrote: 92 Points

  My 50th at the Ledbury (The Ledbury, London): Palest garnet, more transparent than translucent. Cranberry and orange peel. Bright acidity. Light to mid weight. Quite floaty but with a good mineral line and relatively long finish. ****

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  9/2/2021 - GonzaloManzaneda Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Color teja evolucionado, capa baja.
  Notas clásicas de Rioja de calidad entrado en años. Tiene un punto de hierba aromática fresca (sorprendente y no experimentada nunca antes en ningún otro viejuno riojano), como de romero, caramelo toffee, dulzón.
  En boca está vivo, tiene un atismo de acidez que lo mantiene en pie. Paso fluido y amable. Poca persistencia.
  Esperaba un poco más pero tiene la casta de la casa. Totalmente listo para beber, no esperen más porque está al borde del abismo.

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