2004 R. Lopez de Heredia, Tondonia Blanco Reserva, Rioja

The 2004 Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva will be released sometime in 2017, and the difference with the Gravonia is 10% of very old Malvasía Riojana that provides a unique perfume and sophistication. It feels very young and primary, impossible to guess its age. The Viura is similar to the one from Gravonia, old and on clay and limestone soils; the white grapes always on whiter, stonier soils. Fermentation was carried out in their 140-year-old oak vats with natural yeasts (a constant here), where it goes through malolactic fermentation. The nose seems less developed than in the 2007 Gravonia, younger and livelier. Even after six years in oak, the wine is not oaky, but the aromas are subtle and even a little shy. The palate is austere and it feels a little stiff, with lively acidity and pungent flavors. This feels like a superb year for this bottling, it's clear that it's a great vintage. 35,000 bottles produced.