1970 Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Blanca

July 30th, 2009 / Filed Under: Uncategorized /

39 year old white Rioja…

Today, I have the pleasure of tasting an amazing lineup of Spanish wines with Pancho Campo, MW as part of the Society of Wine Educators conference in Sacramento.

This wine proves that Spanish whites can age and, age well. Eight years of cask ageing bolsters this beauty and allows us to taste 1970, today.

1970 Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Blanco:

85% Viura, 15% Malvasia.

Vibrant golden with a complex perfume of olives and truffles. Full on the palate, giving massive puffs of orange peel and toffee. Serious acidity will carry this bottle for years to come.

2 Responses to “1970 Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Rioja Blanca”

  1. Tom Perry said this on August 1st, 2009 1:17 am

    I’m glad you enjoyed the 1970 Viña Tondonia white. It’s one of my favorites, too. If you’re interested in reading an interview I did with María José López de Heredia, the current managing director of the winery, please check out my blog, which describes my impressions of the Rioja region, where I’ve lived since 1983.

    Kind regards, Tom Perry

  2. Nicholas Solga said this on August 1st, 2009 7:25 pm

    Thanks Tom – what was really great was that we had a Skype interview setup where María José López de Heredia presented the wine along with Pancho Campo, Master of Wine. The feed was projected on a large screen at the Society of Wine Educators conference, during a Spanish wine seminar. The tasting had more than 75 attendees and they tasted through a nice list of wines including a 1956, 1964 and many late 90’s and early 2000’s Riojas, in addition to a nice list of wines from Ribera Del Duero and Priorat. Many producers took part and this wine was amazing. I enjoyed your interview and encourage others to read it too by clicking InsideRioja.wordpress.com

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