Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Reserva 2008

Fabulous old school Rioja from one of the region’s most revered producers. Bosconia Reserva is so restrained and has the perfect balance of fresh fruit, dried fruit and wood spice. 5 years in American oak but it’s so refined with none of that over the top vanilla so common in modern Rioja. A fabulous taste of what Reserva Rioja used to be all about.

“The profile of the 2008 Viña Bosconia Reserva is a lot less ripe than the 2009, and there are some herbal undertones; it’s more reserved and austere, still undeveloped after five years in barrel and at least that much time in bottle. It’s a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho and the rest Graciano and Mazuelo that matured in used American oak barrels for five years. It reveals a medium body and some dusty tannins. It’s quite the opposite from the 2009, and I think a hypothetical blend of the two would be better than each. It’s a cold and austere vintage of Bosconia.” – 93 Points, Luis Gutiérrez, Robertparker.com