2010, Vina Tondonia Tinto Rioja Reserva, SPAINAn excellent source of classic & elegant Rioja. The 2010 Via Tondonia Reserva has all I expect from a Reserva from Tondonia, complexity, elegance and evolution, a developed nose with notes of forest floor and wild berries, herbs and flowers, a touch of iodine, brick dust and very fine, polished tannins. It has the seriousness and elegance of Tondonia. This is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacho (they use the masculine form of the name of the

Harvested 13-28 September

framed by velvety tannins and finishing epically long and perfumed

bittter black chocolate

Ramiro Ibanez and Willy Pérez are a talented duo producing one of the region's great white wines

*** 91-93 Jasper Morris MW

The 2021 Léoville Las Cases was picked from 28 September until 8 October and includes just 5% Merlot from the northern sectors of the vineyard due to coulure

with its own mineral acidity

this has flair and poise at the same time

open and expressive with cherries

executed in a Bordeaux style

its texture is silky with fine and noble tannins

lively but not too much