Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco 2004

Produced by Lopez de Heredia in Rioja, Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco is one of the world’s most iconic and sought-after white wines, representing a style that has virtually disappeared outside this historic estate. Founded in 1877 and still family-owned, López de Heredia remains a guardian of traditional Rioja winemaking, adhering to long ageing periods, extensive use of old oak and patient bottle maturation before release. The fruit comes from the renowned Viña Tondonia vineyard on the banks of the Ebro River in Rioja Alta, where limestone-clay soils and a moderate climate produce wines of remarkable longevity. Released only after many years in the cellar, the Gran Reserva Blanco is produced in tiny quantities and has become one of the most collectible white wines in Spain.

Made predominantly from Viura with a small proportion of Malvasía, the wine undergoes fermentation in old oak vats before spending many years ageing in the estate’s own coopered American oak barrels, followed by extended bottle maturation prior to release. The celebrated 2004 vintage is widely regarded as one of Rioja’s finest modern harvests, combining exceptional concentration with freshness and balance. After two decades of development, the wine reveals an extraordinary aromatic complexity, with notes of beeswax, dried citrus peel, saffron, chamomile, roasted nuts, honey and fine spice layered over subtle oxidative nuances. The palate is remarkably vibrant for its age, combining richness and texture with piercing acidity and an almost endless finish. Profoundly complex yet effortlessly balanced, Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Blanco 2004 stands among the great age-worthy white wines of the world and will continue to evolve gracefully for many years to come.