2006 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia- Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (4/3/2019)
Rose petals and warm herbs drift atop a bed of dusty red fruit and worn leather. Sneaky tannins break through in the mid-palate, to remind me that thirteen is still so early for an LdH Rioja. Time and patience are allies.
I have some of those as well. I was thinking they might be ready now, but then keep seeing these notes indicating holding. What are you thinking, Neal?
Thanks, David, for the note as I don’t have much experience with older rioja.
In the context of Lopez de Heredia, this is not remotely “older.” If you have multiple 375s, why not open one. The wine gives pleasure, and you will be able to see where it stands in the evolution curve. It’s young for LdH, but who knows what that means for you.
I think David’s advice is sound. LdH uses 100% new American oak, and I like to wait long enough for that to dissipate. I’ll probably check in in another 5 years, but opening one now wouldn’t be a crime. Just go in knowing that the oak will be noticeable.
LdH uses 100% American oak, but no-one in their right mind would ever call their barrels new - they are for the most part covered in mold and cobwebs and seemingly on the brink of breaking apart. They have a ridiculous amount of barrels in their cellars, but only a small fraction (up to 10%, often noticeably less) is renewed annually. Seeing how their wines can age up to 10 years in a barrel, it’s very hard to find any new oak aromatics even from a freshly released vintage.
Bought a case of '06’s a month or so ago, the evening after drinking a really beautiful '81 at lunch with a friend. It was truly a revelation on how mouth filling & feminine these Bosconia’s become with time. So, following the formula - hold until 2044. Oops.
I have both the '04 & '05 LdH-T, but have not tried the '06. How does the 2006 vintage of LdH compare to '04 and '05. Any insight is much appreciated. I am sure my magnums '04 will be sleeping for a long time, need to bury them so I can’t see them. Out of sight, out of mind. Cheers