A New 2005 Release from López de Heredia
  
Plus the hard to resist Ameztoi Txakoli...
                     
 

Can you imagine a top California winery that would age a wine in barrel for six years and then hold it in bottle for an additional six years before release? And, what would such a wine cost? $100? $200? Certainly not $34.99!

In the Rioja region of Spain, such a thing is possible. Today we bring to you the latest release from one of Rioja's most coveted traditional estates, López de Heredia. Over the  last decade, this old-school family producer has developed a cult-like following among wine lovers, with many making the pilgrimage to visit the hallowed grounds of the winery which Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta began developing in 1877.

Today we present you with the 2005 R. López de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Reserva. Complex, fresh and giving, this Rioja has received great reviews from Decanter, Wine Advocate and James Suckling. At 13 years of age, it is ready to rock and, at 35 bucks a bottle, it is impressively well-priced. Essentially, the winery aged this one for you for free!

Check out the full story on the 2005 Viña Tondonia Reserva - and on a crisp, white treat from Spain's Basque region - then quickly click  the  Big Yellow Button to load up.

2005 R. López de Heredia
"Viña Tondonia" Reserva
Rioja, Spain
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Made predominantly from Tempranillo, the 2005 Viña Tondonia is an exceptional traditional Rioja Reserva. Filled with classic flavors of red fruits, purple flowers and complex spices, this full-bodied beauty is silky, pure and completely pleasure-giving.

Aside from the Rioja and Champagne regions, it is rare to find a dry wine that is aged for over 12 years before release. The expense and care needed to do this is outlandish and most wineries simply cannot afford it. R. López de Heredia is unique in that such aging is ingrained in what they do. Winemaker María José López de Heredia simply refuses to release a wine before it is ready to drink. What is even more amazing about wines from Rioja, and López de Heredia in particular, is that they seemingly don't tack on any extra charge for the extended cellaring.

Despite this highly-rated estate wine being aged in barrel for six years - and racked twice per year during that time - then cellared for another six years in bottle, it is priced less than most run-of-the-mill, non-estate Napa bottlings that are 10 years younger!

"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. Drinking Window 2018 - 2025."
- 96 Points, Decanter (10/31/2017)

"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 Date: 2016 - 2025."
- 93 Points, Wine Advocate (8/30/2016)

"Lovely depth of fruit to this mature red with chocolate, dark tea and bark. Purple flowers and violets. Full and very silky and refined. A beautiful traditional wine to get to know. Drink now."
- 94 Points, James Suckling (7/24/2017)

Pure and complex, the  2015 Viña Tondonia Reserva offers the unique flavors and texture of a traditional, old-school Rioja. You'll not confuse this with the latest from California, it is old world all the way!  With scores ranging from 93 to 96 points and with the reviewer who issued the lowest of the scores calling it "nothing short of exceptional," this remarkably priced 13-year-old wine is something very special.

Vin Chicago Price: 34.99

The 2017 Ameztoi Txakoli is Here!

2017 Ameztoi Getariako Txakoli
Basque Country, Spain
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This wine may have an unusual name, but one sip and you'll be hooked. And, once you learn it, the name is not even that hard to say!

Pronounced CHOCK-OH-LEE, the wine is like high-voltage Vinho Verde. With bright limey-citrus fruit, soaring acidity and a relatively low alcohol content, this salty, tangy, mineral-influenced wine is ultra-friendly and perfect for seafood, light summer fare and sipping on the patio.

Ameztoi is one of the top producers of this local specialty from the Basque region, near the northern coast of Spain.  While it's way more charismatic than your typical porch pounder, it will be tough not to finish the entire bottle in one sitting!

One of the fun things about Txakoli is the local tradition of drinking it from a porron, as shown in this video. Grab some friends, a porron and a few bottles of this unique, crisp Spanish white to enjoy this spring and summer!

Vin Chicago Price: 18.99
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