Lopez de Heredia, Vina Tondonia 2011 , Rioja Reserva Spain

For 143 years, four generations of the López de Heredia family have devoted themselves to producing exceptional and unique wines. Masterpieces which have achieved that which the founder of the company, Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, defined in the late nineteenth century as the "Supreme Rioja". Vineyard care, a scrupulous selection of grapes, ageing in oak barrels in the heart of deep underground galleries, and the later ageing in bottles, all contribute to making these illustrious wines with their exceptional bouquet. There is no doubt that the oldest, independently owned Rioja Bodegas produces some of the most iconic wines in Spain. This complex Rioja combines freshness and mouth-coating flavours, suggesting that, although a joy to drink now, this is a wine that will hold for at least a decade more. It is, put simply a glorious, traditional, elegant Rioja. This is a remarkably lively wine for a 14-year-old Rioja with notes of licorice and dried cherries and a very elegant tannin structure that runs through the medium to full body of this red like a silk thread. The dry finish is long and polished. Other Grapes - Graciano