Triple 95-Points for Ready to Rock Rioja from R. López de Heredia!

Today we bring you a mesmerizing, complex and totally fricking delicious wine from one of the most historic estates on earth. Earning rather passionate 95- and 96-Point reviews from Wine Advocate, Vinous, James Suckling and Tim Atkins, this 2012 vintage Rioja from sisters Mercedes and Maria José López de Heredia is a showstopper.

“A beautiful old-school Rioja.”
- Vinous, December 2023

At today's 23%-below-market price, it also happens to be one of the best bang-for-your-buck wines on the planet!

Mercedes and María José are passionately keeping alive the traditions passed down from their father and grandfather, and the results show in the bottle. For those of you who have not yet experienced the unique pleasure of drinking one of the charming, perfectly aged, old-world Riojas from their legendary cellar, now is a perfect opportunity to remedy that situation.

Scroll down for all the details, then quickly hit the Big Green Button to take a few bottles home while our supply lasts.

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2012 R. López de Heredia “Viña Tondonia” Reserva
Rioja, Spain
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Aged in barrel for a mind boggling six years, with twice a year rackings, before being bottled and allowed to rest in perfect conditions at the winery’s cellar for an additional six years, their 2012 “Viña Tondonia” is a wine of beguiling depth, complexity and freshness.

"Very bright, juicy and structured, with sensational balance, aged savoriness and brightness"
- James Suckling, August 2024

It is remarkable that a winery in today’s times is able to stick to these long term aging traditions while keeping prices so low. Given the extensive aging and undisputed beauty - an amazing four scores of 95 points or higher - it is hard to believe that Tondonia does not sell for twice its $45.99 price.

Check out these 95-Point reviews from Vinous, Wine Advocate and Tim Atkins plus the 96-Point notes from James Suckling:

“The 2012 Viña Tondonia Reserva comes from a very dry year, with 25% less rain than the average (at the time), resulting in lower yields of very healthy grapes that delivered wines with nice balance between alcohol and polyphenols, making it very apt for the aging in barrel. It had a slightly longer élevage in barrel, six years. The wine is aromatic with a developed profile, spicy and tertiary (forest floor, a touch of brick dust and iodine), complex and nuanced. The palate is full and round, with polished tannins and a long, dry finish. It has a textbook Tondonia nose and profile. 250,000 bottles produced. Drink Date: 2025 - 2035.”
          - 95 Points, Wine Advocate (2/29/2024)

“The 2012 Viña Tondonia is a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, cultivated on the meander of the Ebro River in Rioja Alta. This garnet wine reveals aromas of ash and plum marmalade, with a faintly herbal core and hints of oaky cedar. Dry and lean, the fairly chalky texture lingers long, concluding with a compact, flavorful and lasting finish. The 2012 is a beautiful old-school Rioja. Drinking Window: 2024 - 2035.” 
        - 95 Points, Vinous - Joaquin Hidalgo (12/2023)

“Viña Tondonia can seem austere in its (comparative) youth, especially when compared with sweeter Bosconia, but this is a wine that will reward patience. Picked earlier to assuage the effects of a warmer site, this blend of Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo is structured and focused, with redcurrant, forest floor and green herb notes. Give it time.”
          - 95 Points, Tim Atkin (2/2024)

“Savory berries, plums, iron, minerals, tobacco, ink and blood oranges. Very bright, juicy and structured, with sensational balance, aged savoriness and brightness that are typical of Tondonia reds. Beautiful now.”
          - 96 Points, James Suckling (8/5/2024)

Fans of Barolo, Barbaresco, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and top quality Pinot Noir from Oregon will want to drop whatever you are doing and click the button now. You don’t even have to lay this puppy down in your cellar and wait for the magic to happen. The winery has already taken care of that for you!

Median online retail of over 300 listings is $60. At nearly 25% less, our price blows that away. This is one of the greatest classic red wine values on earth. Grab a few bottles (or more) before the legions of rabid López de Heredia lovers snap this all up!

Vin Chicago Price: 45.99