López de Heredia Rioja Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva 1995

97 points Luis Gutierrez (Wine Advocate): "The only current red Gran Reserva is the 1995 Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva, the one that is produced exactly the same as before, including fining with egg whites and sealing with red wax. 1995 was an excellent and early harvest, the grapes achieved full ripeness and were harvested under the sun during two weeks starting October 9. The wine, which exceptionally achieved 13% alcohol, is the usual blend, 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo (Cariñena). Like all their wines, it fermented with indigenous yeasts in old oak vats and as a Gran Reserva it matured in old American oak barrels for ten years! Yes, it was bottled in November 2006 and launched in 2015, a full 20 years after the harvest. This light-colored, ethereal 1995 is the essence of Viña Tondonia. It has developed aromas and complexity gained with the time in bottle, of incense, leather, cured meat, cherries in liqueur, cold bonfire and spices. The palate is super-tasty, with fully-resolved tannins and very good acidity. The texture is super-fine, sophisticated and ethereal with gob-smacking balance. Intense, powerful and elegant, too. Hard to believe, but this red feels too young and while approachable, I'd wait a couple of years or more because it will be much better. The profile follows the style of the great classics of the 1950s and 60s. Bottles like this are the ones that created the López de Heredia myth. This could be lighter than the 1994, but in the long run I believe the 1995 will be the better bottle. Drink: 2015-2035. (Apr 2015)"

97 points Pedro Ballesteros Torres, MW (Decanter): "The archetype of a great wine, having gone through a soft, long ageing: spicy complexity, undergrowth tones, a caramel touch. Suave, light but stylish, velvety, smoky subtle finish. A great experience, with a long life ahead. Drinking Window: 2019-2055. (Jan 2019)"

96 points James Suckling: "Sweet tobacco, orange zest and hints of balsamic with dried fruits on the nose. Full body, soft and silky with a tangy and fruity combination that gives such pleasure. Very balanced and refined. Aged ten years in cask. Drink now. (7/24/17)"

94 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous): "(75% tempranillo, 15% garnacha, 5% graciano and 5% mazuelo): Deep red. A heady, complex bouquet evokes red berry preserves, cherry pit, Asian spices and cigar box, with smoke and potpourri qualities building with air. Supple and seamless on the palate, offering sweet cherry and smoky herb flavors, along with notes of mocha and candied rose. Fine-grained tannins come up on the finish, which is spicy, penetrating and very long. I'd bet on the wine being even better in five to ten years but there's no shame in drinking it now. (Sep 2012)"