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For a hundred and twenty years, three generations of the López de Heredia family have devoted themselves to producing exceptional wines, masterpieces which need fear no competition from any other wine in the world. They have achieved what the founder of the firm, Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, laid down in the late nineteenth century as the "Supreme Rioja". The care of the vineyards, the scrupulous selection of the grapes, the elaboration in oak barrels in the heart of the deepest underground galleries and the later ageing in bottles produce these illustrious wines with their quite exceptional bouquet. Throughout long period of time, the López de Heredia wines received different names depending on the style of their elaboration but today "Tondonia" is famous the world over, just as the founder had foreseen in his earliest dreams of perfection. Special mention is required for white wines. If there is one firm experienced in producing old white wines, that firm is López de Heredia. To talk here of white as brief, young uncomplicated wines is asking for trouble. This firm has never been averse to ageing white wines in oak for as long as reds. The result is much more surprising that might be expected. When this type of wine spends a long time in the wood, then, naturally, the oaky tastes and aromas are most noticeable and even unbalanced. Perhaps after cask ageing is not the best time to try them. Nonetheless, when bottle ageing has managed to polish the rough edges of the wood and create seductive aromas of spice, bitter almonds, vanilla and walnut, which is called the "bouquet", we are left with the majestic and opulent Viña Tondonia. |
