March 12, 2024 - Well, well, well. What a great time to uncork this almost 20-year-old bottle. The relatives of Toñín continue to take advantage of the quality corks of Viña Tondonia without a signed vintage to close these bottles (pictured). Beautiful and translucent ruby colour with orange edges. Supposedly burgundian style wine of López de Heredia, offering delicious fleshy aromas with thyme and rosemary along with notes of perfectly ripe cherries. Also mineral tips with leather and spices. Wonderful combination. Riojana complexity. On the palate, the velvety texture of a medium-bodied wine stands out, a deep acidity that provides a lot of length and a fast finish. Fleshy and fruity aftertaste. Traditional and with a lot of time ahead. Happy to have two more bottles sleeping in my unassuming cellar.
Bueno, bueno, bueno. Qué gran momento para descorchar esta botella de casi veinte años. Los familiares de Toñín continúan aprovechando los corchos de calidad de Viña Tondonia sin añada para cerrar estas botellas (en la imagen). Bello y traslúcido color rubí con bordes anaranjados. Supuestamente el vino de estilo borgoñón de López de Heredia, ofreciendo deliciosos aromas carnosos con tomillo y romero junto con notas a cerezas maduras en su punto. También puntas minerales con cuero y especias. Maravillosa combinación. Complejidad riojana. Al paladar destaca su textura aterciopelada de vino de cuerpo medio, una profunda acidez que proporciona mucha longitud y un final veloz. Regusto carnoso y frutal. Tradicional y con mucho tiempo por delante. Feliz por tener otras dos botellas durmiendo en mi modesta bodeguita.
February 16, 2024 - Lovely if slightly thin.
January 9, 2024 - A little bit more muted and less expressive than I remember. Powdery, very fine, tannins - and good acidity. Leather. Damp earth. Tea. Hints of sour cherry.
December 26, 2023 - My last bottle and it was just beautiful. For a wine this old, it still had plenty of fruit, as well as tertiary notes. The wine can probably still age for many more years, but I see no reason to wait. Enjoyed with a prime rib on Christmas Day
December 2, 2023 - PnP. Die Tannine sind mittlerweile abgeschmolzen und alles ist beieinander. Rote Beeren, Kirsch. Der Wein ist seidig und hat seinen Höhepunkt erreicht. Mittlerer Körper und Abgang. Trinkt sich hervorragend und die Flasche war schnell leer.
October 25, 2023 - PnP. Drank over 75 mins. Lovely, classic, Bosconia. Beautiful example of old-school traditional Rioja. Red fruits, spices, leather, cigar box, fine tannins, oak well integrated, and ample acidity. More youthful than previous bottles (perhaps because it didn’t get air?) Should drink well for several more yrs, maybe thru 2030? Great QPR. Very food friendly.
April 4, 2023 - decanted for 2hrs. nose was lovely, but the palate was less interesting - fruit nowhere to be found, ample acid (super food friendly), oak well integrated. not sure if past its prime or in a dumb phase. my hope is that interesting tertiaries will emerge.
November 1, 2022 - Lovely, classic, Bosconia. Beautiful example of a true, classic, old-school Rioja. Red fruits, spices, leather, cigar box, fine tannins, oak well integrated, and ample acidity. Mature and drinking very well. Should drink well for several more yrs, maybe thru 2030? Amazing QPR. Very food friendly.
October 26, 2022 - Mid ruby, browning. Fully mature but very fine. Red fruits, loads of complexity, wood smoke, spices, cured meats. Plenty acidity. Tannins very smooth. Pretty classic, great balance. Very good, and good value.
September 22, 2022 - Brought to Max's for group dinner with Eyal. This bottle was drinking very well, and consistent with previous notes. Too bad it is my last one