Viña Tondonia Gran Reserva Rosado

R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia is a Rioja producer that is widely regarded as one of the world's greatest wine estates. It was founded in 1877, and is well known for its traditional winemaking approach. It is particularly associated with its Tempranillo-based wines from the Tondonia vineyard, to the extent that this now forms part of the company name. The Tondonia vineyard extends for over 100 hectares (250 acres) in a picturesque site next to the Ebro river. The soil is made up of alluvial clay with a high limestone content, which has proved an excellent terroir for the Tempranillo and Garnacha vines that are planted there. 

Gran Reserva Rosado is an interesting innovation from Tondonia, which is one of the few rosés in the world released after such long aging (four and a half years) in barrel.

The golden standard in traditional Rioja, this blend of 60% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo and 10% Viura is made in the classic "Clarete" style. The 2009, having seen extensive aging in used American oak barrels, followed by more aging in their perfectly cool, damp, cobweb, and mold covered cellar by the Río Ebre. Beautiful flavors of blood orange, berries, peach skin and almonds only begin to describe this wine, which also has a silken texture unlike any other Rosé you have likely ever had. As ever, this is a true wine world original and a very special bottle of wine.