2007 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Tondonia

Community Tasting Note

MattMauldin Likes this wine:

93 Points

Saturday, November 21, 2020 - Decanted. Medium-ruby color, lightens at the edges. Secondary aromas of worn leather, thyme, hints of clove, tea & pressed violet, with currant fruit. Lively pomegranate and raspberry fruit on the palate, with hints of balsamic reduction and integrated depth of bay leaf, dill and dried flowers. Medium-bodied and accessible, with alluring elegance and presence. Ample acidity, well-integrated, with plush rounded tannins, finishing dry and juicy with solid depth. Secondary stage, drinking very well. I would buy again and hold a little longer to see where it goes, but seems to be in its drinking window now.

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10 comments have been posted

Comment posted by Mark1npt:

11/21/2020 8:37:00 PM - Thanks for your notes on this one, much appreciated! How much decant time did you give it? Some are saying hold for many more years, but I have my reservations.
Comment posted by MattMauldin:

11/21/2020 8:40:00 PM - Very short decant, ~30 minutes. I don’t personally see the need to hold this for very long, other than for curiosity. It’s drinking very well. I only bought a bottle... will probably look for another.
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

11/21/2020 8:51:00 PM - Thanks, Matt...appreciate your insight on this one.
Comment posted by MattMauldin:

11/21/2020 9:07:00 PM - My pleasure Mark, thanks for the comment.
Comment posted by SLB83:

11/23/2020 4:19:00 PM - Thanks for your note. Did you eat anything with the wine?
Comment posted by MattMauldin:

11/23/2020 7:19:00 PM - SLB83, thanks for the question. We had it with grilled rack of lamb. The wine was a little overmatched in that pairing - I thought it would have done better with a leaner white meat like port tenderloin. The interesting flavors would be great with the traditional pairing of paella as well. The wine was enjoyable at dinner, but really came alive on its own after the meal, which is when I wrote the note.
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

11/23/2020 8:03:00 PM - Matt, from what you're describing, I think the pork tenderloin might have been better, like you said....but it's really splitting hairs when you get a fun wine like this one, no?
Comment posted by Mark1npt:

11/23/2020 8:03:00 PM - SLB....you beat me to it...that was a great question!
Comment posted by MattMauldin:

11/23/2020 8:56:00 PM - Mark, I think you're right on the pork tenderloin. But yes, splitting hairs. The best wines get better after the meal!
Comment posted by SLB83:

11/25/2020 5:04:00 PM - Thanks both. Will give it a go.