R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva Blanco 2014

Viña Tondonia is one of the world’s great vineyards, producing superb reds as well as whites. After more than a decade in old American oak barrels and bottle, this is still remarkably fresh, bright and youthful. Made from Viura and 10% Malvasía it’s a unique style that makes demands of the taster. Salty, dense, complex and slightly tannic, it has amazing extract, notes of lemon peel, fennel and tarragon and the concentration to age for at least another decade. Drink date: 2025-2040. Score – 97. (Tim Atkin, MW, timatkin.com, Rioja Special Report 2025)