2003 Lopez de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Blanco Reserva Rioja

SKU #1298333 93 points Vinous

(raised in American oak barrels for six years) Light bright yellow-gold. Dried citrus and pit fruits, white flowers, vanilla and a hint of beeswax on the highly perfumed nose. Concentrated but nervy as well, offering orange and pear nectar and toasted nut flavors; a gingery quality adds spiciness and lift. The floral note repeats emphatically on the impressively long, incisive finish, which features notes of chamomile and candied orange zest. (JR) (5/2017)

93 points Wine Spectator

This distinctive white is delicate yet expressive, with a lean texture carrying lively flavors of dried apple, quince, wildflower, tarragon and vanilla. Fresh acidity carries herbal and floral notes through the long finish. (TM) (9/2016)

92 points James Suckling

Opulent nose showing ripe yellow apples and acacia with buttery and nutty undertones. Full-bodied and round. Lively finish. Waxy and very much a white Rioja. (12/2016)

91 points John Gilman

Given how hot the summer of 2003 was in Europe, I was expecting the 2003 Viña Tondonia Blanco Reserva to be a bit more marked by its vintage, rather than the classical style of this bottling, but this is not the case. This is a beautiful bottle of white Rioja that is drinking splendidly at age fifteen, wafting from the glass in a vibrant and complex aromatic constellation of white cherries, toasted coconut, orange peel, salty soil tones, hazelnut and a nice touch of oak. On the palate the wine is deep, bright and full, with a good core, fine focus and grip and a long, well-balanced and complex finish. This will not make old bones, as the acids here are not as prominent as is the case in the 2004, and this is of course attributable to the torrid summer of 2003, but in all other respects, this is a very classically-inclined vintage of Viña Tondonia Blanc Reserva. A fine, fine result from 2003. (6/2018)