Regardless of the vintage, you always know what you’re getting with a bottle of Lopez. Classic, definitive, old-school Rioja at its best. A blend of all estate grown fruit from the “Tondonia” vineyard (of course almost all Tempranillo with a bit of other local varietals), carefully aged in American oak barrels for six years before being bottled and further matured in their cellars.

The wine shows some garnet shades as it showcases some tertiary qualities at more than a decade old. Aromas of sun-drenched cherries, vanilla bean, dill, and figs lead to a medium-bodied palate. Surprisingly youthful acidity supports the noticeable oak influence and notes of tobacco, leather, and esparto grass.

From the producer:

The Tondonia vineyard has to be is the most spectacular in Haro. Situated in a shell-like depression next to the River Ebro which serves as a border with Rioja Alavesa (the part of the Rioja appellation region belonging to the Basque Country), it is characterised by poplar trees.  The soil is alluvial clay with a high proportion of limestone. The vineyards, cared for with enthusiasm and love, cover a total area of 170 hectares and produce an average annual yield of some 800,000 kg of grapes.  Grapes from Viña Tondonia are always used in making our highest quality wines, and with truly exceptional vintages, becoming "Gran Reservas" if the vintage is truly exceptional - as was the case in 1976, 1973, 1970, 1968, 1964, 1961 and 1954.  The first "Reserva" was bottled by the founder as long ago as 1890. A few bottles of this are still kept in the family wine museum.

Pairings: Wild boar ragu, prime rib, civet of hare