TN: 2001 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia

WINE TALK
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  • 2001 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (10/26/2009)
    Slow to open on night one. It is fairly concentrated and dark for Bosconia, with a nose that remains fresh despite the oxidative wine making. Juicy dark fruit cut by piercing acidity on the palate. A lengthy finish with plenty of acid again. I bit tight / light on the palate. On night two this is much more open, the fruit is much more developed and it is clearly improved. Sappy red fruits, woodsy aromas, sweet rich penetrating palate and persistant sweet red fruit and cinnamon on the finish. If you like Bosconia, this appears to be a great vintage in the making, as would be anticipated, and should provide a long future of great drinking. I’ll put away a stash and forget about them for 5-10 years.

Posted from CellarTracker

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Just one further thought… the palate on this is really seamless with good sappy energy and weight but totally without edges, very elegant. Just one bottle and one taster, but this looks like it could be the best Reserva Bosconia vintage I’ve had.

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I call that “Bosconian”

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Thanks for the note.

I’ve got a single bottle to taste - my first taste of Lopez de Heredia.
What is the typical drinking window for this wine?

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Josh, thanks for the note.

Scott - I don’t know about the 2001 specifically, but I believe the drinking window for this wine in general is long long long. I just had the 1976 Bosconia within the last few weeks and it is fully vibrant, not showing any signs of fading yet. Perhaps someone with more experience can chime in on whether this is typical of Bosconia or not. I’m way behind in posting tasting notes but will try to get this one up soon…

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Alan, as far as I know the only 76 Bosconia out there is the Gran Reserva, this 01 Bosconia is a Reserva. I think the most current Gran Reserva release is the 87? Perhaps 90 or 91 now? I’m sure someone in the supply chain here has seen the book and can answer.

In any case, I think the 96 Bosconia Reserva is still improving. I think the 76 Gran Reserva is pretty much drinking sublimely and the 81 and 85 Bosconia Gran Reservas are still young… my best guess is the 01 will be best in 10 years or so? If you drink it now, I’d suggest opening in 12-24 hrs ahead of time and pouring off a bit to taste. I am not normally someone to like wines better on the second day, but this wine really picked up weight and integrated after 24 hrs (2/3 of a bottle simply recorked and left at ~60F).

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excellent descriptions… there is a great core of rich sweet fruit, not sure I’d say sappy… great value… it may be a challenge to hold onto it long enough to see what 10 years bring as good as it is now…

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Thanks for the note on this - I love the entire range of Heredia’s wines.

The 99 Tondonia Reserva isn’t shabby either.

I generally prefer Bosconia to Tondonia, too.