Lopez de Heredia - Rioja Viña Bosconia Gran Reserva 2004

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The Viña Bosconia Gran Reserva 2004 is very open, expressive and aromatic as soon as it's poured into the glass, whereas the Tondonia took a long time to open up. The nose is very elegant and, although it contains less Garnacha than the Tondonia, it has more, a little heady with notes of cherries in liqueur and iodine (think Rayas). It has an elegant texture, very fine tannins and zesty flavors, and is persistent and powerful yet balanced and fresh. The Bosconia vineyard is a cooler vineyard that produces fresher wines; the grapes were picked quite late, from October 20, later than those from the Tondonia vineyard. Only 6,000 bottles were produced. It was bottled in March 2019. Some of these vintages benefited from much longer aging, but not necessarily all in barrel, as the wines also spent time in the old oak vats. 2024-2040

Vinous A. Galloni

About the wine:

Imagine walking through López de Heredia's catacomb-like cellar, full of cobwebs and mushrooms. Imagine the damp, cool air chilling your bones. This is where the Gran Reserva Bosconia 2004, a blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, spent over ten years aging. From the Bosconia vineyard in Rioja Alta, this wine has a herbaceous profile. Aromas also include tertiary notes of cola, leather and thyme on a background of hazelnut and cedar. Dry and silky, the palate is lightly structured, with textured tannins and juicy length. Delicately evolved, this is a rare, tasty wine of the old school. 2024-2034

James Suckling

About the wine:

A well-aged wine that shows the richness of Bosconia, with notes of anise, savory plums, berries, mussel shells, cream, iron, white pepper and orange peel. Lively acidity, full body, fine, sharp, mineralized tannins. Long, juicy and tasty. Drink now, but cellar well.