López de Heredia Rioja Viña Tondonia Reserva 2005

96 points Tim Atkin, MW: "(13.5%). A great wine made in a great vintage, this blend of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo is an example of traditional Rioja at its age worthy, palate-caressing best. Leafy, sweet and stylish, with refreshing acidity, a volatile lift and savoury complexity. 2017-30. (2017)"

96 points James Suckling: "A staggering range of aromas, from dried mango and papaya through toasted nuts to dried flowers. Powerful and concentrated, but not at all fat, this has a stunning texture, due to the interplay of tannins and richness. Very long, intense finish. Drink or hold. (8/2/18)"

96 points Decanter: "Traditional Rioja at its ageworthy best, the Tondonia red is a cuvée of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo. Leafy, gamey and sweet, with tangy acidity and a volatile lift. Drink: 2018-2025. Alcohol 13.5%. (Mar 2018)"

94 points International Wine Report: "Coming from an exceptional vintage, the 2005 Viña Tondonia from R. Lopez de Heredia is a compelling blend of Tempranillo (75%), Garnacho (15%), Graciano and Mazuelo (10%), all sourced from their estate vineyards and aged for six years prior to bottling. This sensational wine opens with a bright bouquet of leather, cranberry, orange rind, forest floor and suggestions of black tea. Showing incredible focus and poise, this balanced Rioja is framed around flavors off leather, red cherry, teaberry, Mandarin orange and pipe tobacco that sit alongside brisk minerality, as the wine shows tremendous freshness and length through the long finish. This is an absolute stunning effort from this storied Estate and should continut to drink beautifully for years to come. Best 2017-2030. (Aug 2017)"

94 points Falstaff: "Rather closed, not attractive at first, a wine that needs time. Plums and berries can be identified as well as cool smoke. Very elegant on the palate with perfectly matured tannins and wonderful spice. With good reason, this is one of the great classics. (Nov 2018)"

93 points Luis Gutérrez (Wine Advocate): "[$50 list] The 2005 Viña Tondonia Reserva is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho, 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo from their vineyards in the meander of the Ebro River, where they have some 100 hectares of vineyards. The wine fermented in the original oak vats that are now some 140 years of age. There is no temperature control and malolactic was also in the vat. The wine was transferred to oak barrels where it slowly matured in their deep, humid caves for no less than six years. After this, it was bottled unfiltered after being fined with egg whites. I think the quality gap between the Reserva and Gran Reserva has been getting smaller since the 2001 vintage and this 2005 is nothing short of exceptional. It's clean and complex, with more freshness. The wine is very spicy and with a palate that feels very balanced, livelier than in the past. It has a long finish where the flavors are clean. Easy to drink and very pleasurable. Drink: 2016-2025. (Aug 2016)"

93 points Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: "Colour: Cherry, brick rim edge;Aroma: fine reductive notes, spicy, cocoa bean, ripe fruit, balsamic herbs;Flavour: elegant, good structure, full-bodied, flavourful, round tannins. (Jul 2017)"

Producer notes: "Brilliant ruby with light tiled trim. Very fine nose, fresh, toasted with light aromas of vanilla. Very persistent. On the palate it is very dry, soft, round and developed. This wine accompanies both hot salads with quail or bird, flakes, foi gras with reduced raspberry jam, as with lamb roasts and suckling pig. In general, pair this wine with anything as it is a very versatile wine.Blend: 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho (notice the masculine use of Garnacha), 5% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo.