R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva 2014

R. Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva 2014

Lopez de Heredia
$50.00

Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 5% Mazuelo & 5% Graciano
Vintage: 2014
Type: Red

Bosconia tends to be rounder and earthier than Tondonia.  Bosconia as the bottle indicates is the Burgundian sibling. The vineyard is significantly smaller than Tondonia, so the supply is much more limited, which is sad. A bit more aromatic and playful than Tondonia, showing sensuality and litheness.  Garnet in hue, it opens with cassis, cola, and oak-driven aromas. The palate is youthful and smooth, with well-integrated tannins, black fruit, and anisette at the finish. Still growing, it’ll develop greater complexity with more time in bottle.

 

This family-owned winery makes highly individual wines in a style essentially unchanged since its inception in 1877. They grow all their grapes using organic methods, ferment using only natural yeasts and do not filter their wines.

López de Heredia reputation as the ultimate Rioja traditionalist is undisputable: craft, farming, winemaking are all here and have been for a long, long time. Another remarkable feat is they also pioneered the single vineyard model in Rioja. Gravonia, Tondonia, Bosconia and Cubillo are all individual vineyards which have been in the family for generations.

Patience is a family watchword, as this bodega thinks nothing of waiting twenty years before releasing a wine. Their “Crianzas” are aged like others’ “Reservas” and “Gran Reservas”; the “Reservas” as long as others’ top “Gran Reservas”. And the ultimate accolade of “Gran Reserva” is accorded to only the very greatest vintages. Rarely are there more than three of these in a decade. These are uniquely traditional Riojas of massive, boundary-crossing repute. Both red and white are capable of staggering longevity.

Bosconia is a single vineyard that leans more toward blackberries and plums, with classic leather and cigar box notes emerging from the extended time in barrel.