R. López de Heredia Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia 2013

Ninety percent Viura, ten percent Malvasía Riojana from the Tondonia vineyard on the Ebro, aged six years in oak and two in bottle. Deep amber in the glass — oxidative, intentional, and completely unashamed of it. Dried apricot, honey, tangerine peel and a touch of toasted wood on the nose. On the palate it opens rich and almost viscous before finding its footing in a composed, gently chalky texture, with bright acidity holding the whole thing together. Hazelnut on the long finish. Old-school Rioja Blanco at its most committed — built to outlast most of what's in your cellar.