R. López de Heredia Reserva Viña Tondonia 2013

Quintessential Tondonia. This 70/20/10 Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Graciano-Mazuelo blend from the calcareous soils of the Tondonia meander wears its extended American oak aging openly, cedar, vanilla, and sweet spice layered over a composed core of dark fruit, wild herbs, and a balsamic thread that runs clean through the finish. Medium-bodied, with chalky, measured tannins and a tertiary complexity that only López de Heredia seems to achieve with such unhurried authority. A defining expression of Rioja Alta. Patience is repaid.