1998 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Viña Tondonia- Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
I had ordered a Tuna Tartar with a toasted sesame drizzle as an appetizer and this paired so well it was seamless. Colorwas pale golden. White flowers and sweet caramel on the nose. It started reserved but as time passed and the wine came up closer to room temp it was more expansive. Great waxy texture, tart green apple, pear and a note of freshly sliced almonds. Medium plus bodied with bright/racy acidity that pushed through the finish. I really enjoyed this and combined with the fact that it paired so well with the food it just made it an even better experience. Wonderful aging potential here.
I had the 2004 Vina Tondonia blanco this Tuesday , easily the most interesting white Spanish wine I ever had . Excellent and very particular . Very difficult to describe , it does not fit into a category of white wines I understand . It is fresh , not oxidative at all , a touch of limonade sweetness but also nicely complex . Remarkable
I’ve heard high praise about Macondo Bianko Marche IGT, and own two bottles, though I have yet to drink one. Perhaps not so out their as it is 60% Pecorino and 40% Trebbiano, but still promising.
Something, something, late harvest (?), skin contact (?), Sauv Blanc from Auvergne.
So much juicy extract, depth, and racy acidity.
Really something else.
For me, the two greatest white grapes in the world are Chardonnay and Riesling.
First, one does not have to spend for Grand Cru Burgundies to get great Chardonnay from Burgundy. Try fabulous Chablis (esp. Premier Crus) from producers like Christian Moreau and Moreau-Naudet. These wines are not just interesting - they are fabulous.
Then, I cannot believe that Riesling has been virtually ignored in this thread. The best Rieslings from Germany and Alsace are not just unbelievably great wines, they also can be some of the greatest wine values in the world.
Third, please don’t forget Chenin Blanc from the Loire. Want something interesting - try an aged Sec or Demi-Sec from Vouvray. I recently had two 2002 Vouvrays - a Sec from Foreau and a demi-sec from Huet - that were just unbelievably fabulous wines.
And, for Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire, you don’t have to pay Vatan prices to get great wine. Try either Cotat.
I cannot believe that I ignored one of the great white wines in the world. I would not leave anything off that I previously mentioned, but how can anyone ignore CHAMPAGNE in discussing the most interesting white wine in the world. I apologize for my omission, must have been brain dead.
Ive been buying as much LdH blanco as I reasonably can.
What do you think? Would a pair of 1922’s still be alive?
Link to the site doesn’t show any pics though either.
Price doesn’t seem crazy if it might be. Above my pay grade but I’d go in for a glass!
Any idea what year the first vintage might have been?
I recently bought a bottle of this 1922 LdH Tondonia Blanco. More for the history than anything. I’d be curious to know more about the vintages of that era if anyone knows. I’m guessing the first vintage was pre-1900.
It is a solera started in 1845 so that is why. I visited and tasted at Blandy’s last year who took back control of their brand. I took home a 75 verdelho from Cossart Gordon and a 77 Blandy’s Terrantez. I was never a fan of Madeira until my visit.
2 bottles means 10 glasses. $1300 for the two, plus auction and shipping fees, would be about $150-160 for a glass. I’d do it if there are another 9 WBers in the NY/CT area who are willing to join. We could bring a few more other wines to round it out- could be a fun night. Let me know if youre interested!
Anything from Zind-Humbrecht (Alsace). If you try a young vintage you’ll want to pop the cork and decant a few days (yes, days) before pouring, as Z-H wines are reductive. I opened a bottle of 2013 Muscat Goldert three weeks ago and enjoyed a glass, then put it back in the fridge and forgot about it. Tasted it last night and it was still stunning.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc is quite interesting, and can age for decades.
Try to find a white Priorat. Mas Igneus makes nice ones and they are fairly affordable.
There is a sparkling producer, Colet, in the Penedes, that does something similar. Cava, but the tirage is sherry from a well known bottler. Very interesting stuff.