Reviews & Scores
One of the great classic European vintages, 2010 was as fêted in Rioja as it was in Bordeaux; a great showcase for one of the most enigmatic rosés in the world. Enigmatic because it is made in a breathtakingly unorthodox manner for a pink wine, oxidation encouraged at every stage, the biannual racking not merely cleansing impurity. Enigmatic because it is not released for a decade (longer in the case of previous vintages). But, most importantly, enigmatic because it is hauntingly delicious: Garnacha dominated with griotte precision, honeyed extravagance and citrus freshness at the back. Given that most of the rules have been challenged, I would challenge you to decant it at room temperature, and pretend that it is a red wine.
DC94July 2021
Bright, copper-hued orange. Intensely perfumed strawberry, cherry, blood orange and floral scents are complemented by emerging spiciness and a hint of nuttiness. Energetic red berry, citrus fruit and candied rose flavors show impressive depth as well as vivacity. Lingers with outstanding tenacity on the penetrating finish, which strongly echoes the floral, spice and red fruit notes. This singular wine is showing even better than it did a year ago.
VM95April 2021
The 2010 Viña Tondonia Rosado Gran Reserva was hitting on all cylinders. It was produced with 60% Garnacho (they use the masculine of the name here), 30% Tempranillo and 10% white Viura from vines averaging 91 years of age. Like all the wines, it fermented with indigenous yeasts (they have never used selected yeasts) in the 142 oak vats they have used since the beginning and then matured in old American oak barrels for four years. There is tons of complexity and nuance here; it's super elegant and layered, and as the wine sat in the glass, it developed more and more complex aromas, a subtle combination of balsam, red acid berries, a hint of medicine, fennel and wet chalk, a diesel-like touch, old wood and mushroom (beetroot?), licorice yellow flowers, sweet spices... There's a lot more of everything. It's clean and crystalline, fresh and long, with terrific balance and depth. This has to be the finest rosado of recent times.
WA96October 2020
Special, aged rosé with dried strawberry, leather and Spanish cedar on the nose. It’s full-bodied with beautiful fruit and a vanilla, light toffee and dried-fruit finish. Nutty at the end. Unique wine.
JS95September 2020
"Copper-tinted orange color. A wild, expansive bouquet displays an array of red fruit and floral qualities, along with hints of baking spices, vanilla, orange pith and toasted nuts. Stains the palate with gently sweet strawberry, tangerine, hazelnut pastry and candied rose flavors that are firmed by a spine of juicy acidity."
VM94