Will Stanley

Such is the way of life at López de Heredia, the 2010 Reserva was only released to the market last year, while most bodegas are currently extolling the virtues of their 2019s. Well, as a fan of Viña Tondonia, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the 2010, fabled year that it is, having enjoyed many a superb wine from other producers in this vintage. Decanted for four hours, this wine is effusive from the glass, with a strikingly darker, richer aromatic profile compared to vintages such as 2007 and 2001, and more in line with 2008 - but better still. The oak provides a generous chocolate- and vanilla-laced bouquet that also has blackcurrants, blueberries, cranberries and kirsch, and bouquet garni. The palate is, predictably, very austere at this primal stage, but again has a richer, more rounded mouthfeel to prior vintages that is simply wonderful. Needless to say, this is a benchmark wine for the region and will age rather well, and what a wine it will be in decades to come.

Eric Grasser

Shows a seamless integration of dried fruit, earth, balance, elegance and tannin. Showing well at this point and continuing to evolve in the direction of dried berries and plum, tobacco, herbs, iron and fine tannin.

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

2010. Loads going on here. But needs time to open. Darker fruit than some rioja. Earthy.

Martin Bergo

This bottle is the best of many previous tastings of this vintage. Sumptuous! Coffee grounds, nougate, green herbs, mint, and well-integrated neutral oak; high acids, fine tannins, dark dried fruits, and a long salty finish.