R. Lopez de Heredia Tondonia Gran Reserva Rosado 2009 750ml Case of 3

The unique and personal 2009 Viña Tondonia Rosado Gran Reserva felt young and undeveloped, with an orange color and a spicy, smoky and floral nose (decayed rose petals, that is). The palate was slender and balanced, dry and chalky, clean, precise and focused. It was hard to guess the color if tasted with your eyes closed... It had spent four years aging in American oak barrels, and this, together with its unusual fermentation process, gives very singular characteristics. María José said, "We, at López de Heredia are proud to offer the most unusual and exclusive rosé. Our rosé is unlike other rosés. Generally, rosés are younger crianzas, which have spent much less time aging, show less developed, fruitier aromas and normally have a higher residual sugar content." 14,200 bottles were filled in April 2015. Furthermore, she added, "Our rosé is crafted in the same way as traditional Riojan wines of this type. It is not treated exactly as a rosé wine but as a 'clarete' or an 'ojo de gallo,'” names by which these wines are known in La Rioja. In its production, several varieties of red (Tempranillo and Garnacha) and white (Viura) grapes are used, with a higher proportion of red grapes than white. However, when it comes to fermenting and aging, this is not done by separately producing a red and a white wine and later mixing them, as is normal with most rosés. In the case of Viña Tondonia, the white and red grapes are macerated together during the fermentation. This maceration allows the wine to age correctly, thanks to the contribution of the skin of the grape when it remains in contact with the must. The duration of this process is not as short as it is in the case of their white wines (María José said said they leave them to macerate with the skins during the first hours of the fermentation in order to give long life, exceptional complexity and balance), nor so long as their red wines (with them, she said they leave the skin of the grape in contact with the must wine throughout the fermentation). The length of the maceration process instead falls between that of the red and white wines, and toward the middle of the fermentation process, they proceed to the removal of the skins. This is how the Riojan “clarets” or “ojo de gallo” wines are traditionally made. The fact that their “clarete” carries the name rosé is historical. The founder of the bodega, Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, acquired his vinicultural knowledge in France. On arriving in La Rioja in 1877, he adapted the Riojan method of making “clarete,” but he literally translated the French word “rosé” when it came to naming the wine. Their Viña Tondonia 2009 Rosé Gran Reserva is therefore an intermediate wine that falls between red and white wines. It's fresh and smooth and has a noticeable fragrance of well-matured oak, and it's more developed and complex than ordinary rosés, which are usually served cold, especially in the summer, at a temperature of about 10 degrees Celsius or less. María José suggests combining "the perfection of our rose wine with vegetables and cold meat dishes, as well as with all types of spicy and challenging food. Some internationally renowned critics consider rosé wine to be the perfect complement to many oriental and Latin American dishes, which have intense flavors and spices."

Attractive, sweetly aromatic, red-floral perfume with dried red cherries and some dried strawberries, too. Only hints of leather here. The palate has a beautifully fresh, succulent and elegantly focused feel with a long sleeve of dried-cherry flavor and gently nutty notes to close. Dry, long and mouthwatering finish. Drink now.

Light bright amber-hued orange. Mineral- and spice-accented red currant and cherry scents, joined by building herb and floral nuances. Shows noteworthy depth as well as energy to the bitter cherry, succulent herb, spicecake and blood orange flavors, which turn sweeter as the wine stretches out. Finishes extremely long and chewy, with resonating floral and red fruit character and a lingering suggestion of fennel. Aged for four years in neutral American oak barrels and racked twice a year.

The deep, rusty color announces that this is not a typical rose. Distinctive, offering tangy acidity and light, firm tannins that frame the rich texture, giving this plenty of structure for food. Orange peel, tarragon, iodine and beeswax notes frame the dried cherry and tangerine flavors. Unique. Garnacho, Tempranillo and Viura. Drink now through 2029. 1,166 cases made.