Very red fruited - flavors dominated by dusty dried cherry, baked cherry, berry leaf, earth, smoke, leather. Soft tannins, medium+ acidity, Fairly light and very elegant. I paired this with braised short ribs which I think was a mistake, this would be much better with some grilled steaks or a roast.
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Jim and Michelene for their 40th wedding anniversary w/ chef Don Saunders. Matt L's btl flighted with Dave D's 95' Tondonia. Last time I had these 2 wines together I preferred this to the Tondonia. Tonight I flipped and a slight preference for the Tondonia's marvelous fruit. This was a little more darkly complected and slightly less giving tonight. That said I loved it's resolve, elegance and tertiary notes. The "other" stunning btl in a stunning flight! Thanks Matt L! 96+
Brought to friends. Splash decanted to ensure it was not flawed and sediment, rebottled, slow O'd for 2 hours and we got around to this. Note from memory. Tasted alongside a '95 Tondonia Gran Reserva -- FUN comparison.
Note in a word: ETHEREAL. Just so light on its feet yet beautiful, complex and balanced. Floral, red fruit, sous bois, loam and oh my did this pair well with duck. Still thinking about this a day later.
You hear people compare the Bosconia to Burgundy and tasting this alongside the '95 Tondonia Gran Reserva (more traditionally compared to Bordeaux) one absolutely understands the comparisons.
What a treat. Thanks to our hosts and Dave for bringing its "Bordeaux" companion.
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Classic, classy Lopez de Heredia. More suble (more Burgundian? as the bottle would suggest) and more cherry, sous bois than the Tondonia. At a lovely stage of evolution. Ethereal and light footed, yet so yummy.
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Cellartracker says that I drank a bottle of this in 2018, which I had no recollection of. But what a difference 6 years makes. Popped and slow-oxed 8 hours before dinner. Pale brown/garnet in the glass. The nose delivers an elegant/graceful but complex bouquet of red cherries/mulberries, meatiness/leather and mocha. The palate was harmonious, though could do with a bit more structure to balance the acidity. Drinking very very well now at 28 years of age.
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A Good Tuesday, Vol VIII: Lopez de Heredia and Friends: Last year we did the 94 together- this year the 95s. This is more rustic, next to Tondonia. More earth tones-not quite the power. But quite elegant, floral, cigar box. Food brings out the silky cherry fruit on weightless palate. Quite good. Interestingly, Chablis28s note below captures almost exactly how we felt about the 95s side-by-side tonight.
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David's btl at Chez Jimmy! A great feast of Lamb & Prime rib in the hands of one of our favorite local Greeks! This flight was to die for tonight. David's btl was paired alongside Dave's '95 Tondonia Gran Rerserva. Perfect scenario for a wine flight! Both wines were weightlessly ethereal & classics! The Bosconia was just a tic more layered & tertiary while Dave's Tondonia offered up a bit more vibrant fruit. Degrees of greatness from both btls. Both mesmerizing!!! Dam it, I wish I had grabbed more of these aged Lopez Gran Reservas 10yrs ago! Thank you David & Dave for sharing these rare birds!
Side by side tasting with an equally rocking 95 Tondonia Gran Reserva and served with perhaps the best grilled lamb chops I’ve ever had. Hoping chablis28 will post a more detailed note but this was absolutely stunning and a wine I would be happy to drink forever. Very youthful and with that Bosconia weightlessness.
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I was blown away how youthful this is. Tons of fruit and some tertiary flavors. This is truly delicious. This is drinking in the sweet spot for me since I enjoy the fruit but this has many many years ahead of this.
This is a fantastic wine. Floral on the nose but much darker fruit flavors compared to its younger sibling from the previous night. Good acidity and lighter on the palate make it very food friendly.
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Bosconia is always such a smooth and graceful wine and this vintage is a perfect example of that. Typically sedate dried cherry and leather with a tiny bit of vegetal funk in the nose but it is more a feature than a flaw. Excellent!
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Beautiful translucent red-brown colour. Fine nose with red earth, toast and dried cherries. Rather light in the mouth but with long aftertaste. Very high acidity and much less sweet than the reserva. More developed than seven years ago. Will probably keep half a century from here.
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This was a clear WoTN. Dark cherries, violets, spice and some tobacco. Good acid, present but silky tannins and a long, lingering And savory finish. A wow wine.
Others have described this very well. I'll only say that it was firing on all cylinders, gained strength in the glass and was the perfect accompaniment to Thanksgiving dinner
Popped and poured to a barnyard nose that settled to a classic Rioja nose after about an hour, and stayed til the next day. Medium-full body. Well-balanced fruit that was good right out of the bottle, and didn’t change much. I didn’t get a lot of secondary characteristics on day 1 or 2. Great finish that lingers for awhile. Good right now but easily holdable for another 5-10 years, which I’d probably recommend if you can keep your hands off it!
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A superb and elegant wine, one of my favorites thus far this year. I can understand the “Burgundian” comparison based on its ethereal character, its lightness and the gorgeous texture. Be that as it may, the flavors and aromas were a far cry from Burgundy. Pipe tobacco and dried earthy cherry, exceptionally clean and pure. The wine captures you with the first breath and sip, but needs attention to fully appreciate the subtle greatness.
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The 1995 Viña Bosconia is showing beautifully, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cherries, dried red berries and plums, mingled with warm spices, dark chocolate and dried fig. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and supple, with a lovely spine of acidity, refined but not yet fully resolved tannins, and a long, sapid finish. This is a beautiful Gran Reserva that is still a decade away from its true peak.
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Popped late in the evening on a whim, I was worried it would show too young after all the senior citizens we had opened, but this is an outstanding Bosconia already giving a lot. Again, quite Burgundian in texture. Clean, bright fruit, terrific depth and balance, fresher than some LdH wines and again shows very little if any new oak influences. Doesn't seem fruity but has all the fruit needed to balance the acids and structure. If you own, you are lucky and you will enjoy this wine for decades to come.
This really sucked. The nose was only a beguiling mix of black cherry, earth, and old oak and the body was nothing more than fine silk. On the palate lively cherry and good acids and a long smooth, finish left me wanting more.
Served double blind. Cranberry, rhubarb, wild strawberry fruit over tangy acidity. Funky, intense, a touch acetic, with a decayed leaves and beef broth savoriness. Great stuff.
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A little disappointed at the showing here, but I suppose a little variability comes with the territory with LdH. Beautiful, classic nose on opening, with crushed cherry, leather, warm soil, and dill aromas. The usual Bosconia litheness on the palate with resolved tannins and a lovely line of acidity, but it fell flat on the finish, which only seemed to get more sour and short as it sat in the glass (where usually LdH actually picks up steam with air). Not sure if it was just an off bottle, as the notes here are generally more enthusiastic, but I'll give this another whirl in 5 years and see if it finds another gear...
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Garnet color in the glass, fairly clear looking. Nose of barnyard and mixed berries. Flavors of red berries and raspberries. Medium acidity, resolved tannin, medium to full bodied. Drink now. Can be held if preferred.
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Previous notes apply. Sorry but we were at dinner at Barcelona in Reston VA so no notes taken. Excellent, great drinking window but more life remains. Again, very Burgundian and Barolo in terroir and fruit profile yet distinct characteristics of Rioja. Just an incredibly beautiful wine.
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Dinner at Binomio w Asparagus and others. Concur with Asparagus on being WOTN. More than held its own against a '93 Biondi Santi and '81 Vega Sicilia Unico.
Oozes class in the way it combines fresh red fruits and raciness with spice notes and a supple body.
I think it can get better from here. Interested to see how it evolves.. Do the fruits give way to more secondary flavours? If i tasted it blind, I would have guessed an excellent Chambolle Musigny
A wow wine. Intense red fruits, spice and tobacco. Starting to enter its drinking window with a long, long time to go. Tangy acidity and fine (but present tannin) - this wine carried the american oak seamlessly. I might be underscoring this...
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-- decanted a couple hours before initial taste -- -- tasted non-blind over a few hours --
I could write "Incredible." and be done with this note. Easily my WOTN, besting my runner-up, the 1994 Ornellaia, by what feels like a considerable margin. Red-fruited, with some cigar spice. Great acidity. Gut impression score: mid 90's. This is stupid-good.
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Truly wonderful! Slight hint of Brett but integrated so nicely! This wine was really about the mouthfeel. The weight was light but round and the texture was unreal! Having just had the 2005 Bosconia Reserva, which was a tannic unpleasent beast, this was truly perfect.
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Garnet with orange-pink edges. The nose is fresh, slightly dried red and black berries, dark damp earth, wet leaves. The palate is in kind, clean and fresh, pleasantly tart, rich but light. The finish is long, just barely sweet, with proper tannins. Really a terrific and regal wine, tastes mature but young, as it should. Enjoyed with lamb stew and polenta.
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Last bottle in 2013 and waiting did NOT disappoint! Again, past notes apply and most especially the Burgundian/Barolo reference. Opened about 1 hour prior to drinking but the taste from PnP was incredible. This wine is incredibly balanced with great fruit, integrated tannins, silky smooth mouth feel with a lingering spicy finish. Structured legs seemed evident of a big Spanish wine yet the wine was silky smooth. Initial color was showing rust at the rim however, after an hour it was not to be seen. The nose was Burgundian with smoke, blood and bright cherries. Was the perfect wine with tapas at Arroz in DC which is a must go to if you have opportunity. The blend of Spanish, Moroccan and African flavors is incredible and this light with its light, medium body yet bold flavors paired perfectly.
Beautiful, sculpted body marble smooth. Nose has some light cherry, earth, and old oak. Palate is acid bright, light weight, aged fruit, earth, wood. Such a beauty.
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This bottle was dead...no TCA, just gone. Very disappointing given recent reviews. Bought from a reputable store about 3 years ago; not sure about provenance prior to that.
What a beautiful bottle of wine. Just entering its drinking window, not at all showy, but subtle and well balanced. Blackberry brandy, a riot of herbs, subtle notes of dill and dusty earth on the nose. Beautiful dried cherries, high toned fruit, crisp acidity and nice sun baked earth on the palate - everything in balance, nothing out of place.
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Dinner with Jay Hack (Les clos, San Francisco): This is my second time tasting this and it is silly good. Hugely aromatic nose with plenty of red fruit, spice, slight vegetal, almost difficult to describe properly; palate is superbly balanced, medium tannin, very complex. Superb. 96+
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Brief note. opened and decided against decanting, and I was happy that we didn't because within an hour this was in full bloom. cork was wet to top. color was ruby sith significant bricking at edges. definitely a delicate flower...not for your cali cab aficionado friends. elegant, soft and supple are all adjectives that came to mind, but this bottle was totally secondary and ready to go. thanks Ed!
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Wow! Chef Alex of Fofo's suggested this wine the night before via WhatsApp. The sommelier opened the bottle at 11am anticipating sipping around 2pmish after our Cava and Albarino. Perfect planning! Light, brownish-red on the eye. Bouquet of veggies, mellow yet over-ripe black cherries, touch of toasted oak, liquorice and leather. Sous bois. Palate of mellow black fruits, coffee, some chocolate with medium-bodied tannins and elegant, smooth finish. Excellent!
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lovely nose of cherries and tobacco. worth the admission price alone. on the palatte, this was surprisingly thin (even insipid) at first but it put on weight and got progressively better throughout the night (4+ hours), but was not as good as I had hoped.
what was obvious is that it is still in its primary phase and will have many years, even decades, to go
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Reticent on the nose. A subtle, elegant wine with details that you might miss if you don't play close attention. Demonstrates nice acidity that Bosconia is reputed for. Subtle dill tones (that I happen to enjoy). This bottle seemed younger than stated age, with quite a way to go. May be interesting to visit in a future decade, I suppose some potential for more tertiary elements to develop. Always a treat to sample from WST's Spanish selection.
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750ml; PnP; transparent light red with some orange bricking. Looks light and not heavy. The nose and palette are rocking! Slightly funky, slightly sherry, slight earthy, with big cherry. Add a hint of white pepper and spice. This wine was in my cellar, but how it got there, I am not certain. All I know is I wish I had more!
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Not much to add to rocknroller's note other than I picked up some meat broth/beef blood/bit of sauvage on the nose. Totally loved this and was a great match with the veal ragu tagliatelle.
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Mixed Frenchies & a Rockin' Good Lopez (Spoon & Stable, Mpls, MN): Dark red color, mild bricked margin. This had some air beforehand. Drank 2 glasses over 75 minutes. I just adored this wine tonight. Showing everything I remember from previous bottles. Wonderful nose with earth, a mix of red and darker fruits, fabulous cherry, lacquer, nice oak, aromatic, hi toned, spice. The palate is medium full bodied, elegant, showing depth in the middle and building energy, red fruits, cherry and raspberry, earth, briar, hints of dill and maybe some cigar, integrated tannins, and a long refined finish. Wonderful, can probably go 10 years. 94+pts.
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Tasted blind. A bit closed, notes of earth. Tons of acidity, very fine, light to medium bodied. I'd wait with this wine a few years, or if opened now, open well in advance of serving.
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Another great showing. Started a bit lean and acrid, but halfway through dinner and decant it started strutting, showing delicate red fruit, smokey cedar, with great acidic cut. Good pairing through a host of courses, surprisingly including halibut.
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Decanted for a couple of hours and drunk across 2-3. The nose is very distinctively Bosconia - delicate slightly sour cherry with hints of herbs and leather, intoxicating even at quite q primary phase. The palate is silky but intense with lovely balance. The wine changed constantly in the glass, first producing a distinctive pleasant dill note which morphed into a meaty tone as the wine seemed to put on some weight in the final glass. Great now as not too coiled, but loads of time in hand. ****(1/2)
Popped and slow oxed for six hours before dinner. This one got Better and better over eight hours suggesting a very bright future. Very similar impression to DECATURWIEDUDE. Elegant and sappy and gulpable. Drink now of over the next twenty years.
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Gah, what an elegant and beautiful showing. Nose shows flowers, cigar box, and wet leaves. Almost a Burgundian nose. Medium weight, soft, supple mouth-feel. Sweet red fruit. Almost sappy, with a wiry, fresh acidity. Integrated and mature, it feels regal and sophisticated, from the nose to the finish. A joy.
Forest, some marinade on the nose. Earthy, savoury, quite light bodied for a GR. Denser and sweeter than Tondonia GR '94 we had alongside. Long finish with a peppery element. Lovely.
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An very elegant medium body wine. Nice brick color. The tannins are super soft with a very silky texture. Flavors of plum, cassis, cigar box, cedar, and cinnamon. Lovely wine. Ready to drink now, at its peak. Would pay a lot more for a similar quality wine if from Bordeaux or Burgundy.
Brought to a tastnig. Double decanted, left bottle open to breathe on the table approximately 3 hours before serving. Served in the same flight as some high end red Burgs and felt right at home.
Nose was floral, savory, dried cherries with some funk. Palate had a little funk but was really more about the red fruit, loam, rosemarry and oak all coming together. Medium weight, nicely balanced, long finish. Has many fine years ahead of it but is in a fantastic place right now.
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Lopez de Heredia Tasting - 4 decades (Sunfish Cellars, St. Paul, MN): Medium red color, 4mm bricked margin. PNP, drank 2oz pour over 25 minutes. Wow, great nose, funk and floral, savory, dried roses, red berry fruit, brown sugar hints. The palate is also a wow, intense and flavorful, elegant, red berries, cherry, rose, earth, nice oak, medium body, and a 30+ second finish. 94+pts.
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Mature brick color. Complex nose of raw beef, green pepper, wild strawberry fruit and new leather. This medium bodied wine has good flavor penetration throughout - the finish is especially strong. Leaves a strong, positive impression. (93)
Grrrr........this was lovely....like a feral animal brought in from the wild and told to be a good doggie in the house. Beef stock, cherries, residual oak, red fruit....tangy and alluring. Not for those who like fat fruit and bland international wines.....this is excellent.....years ahead of it.
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Still a baby, a little bricking but acidity very strong and tannins still hanging on. Just now starting to develop the old school Rioja nose, but very, very good right now if you prefer more fruit to funk. Many decades of life ahead for this vintage.
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Opened and decanted for 3 hours before tasting. This wine has amazing body, and while it's looking quite bricked already, it holds itself very well, and tasted like a much younger vintage. Had on rosemary roast, over the course of an hour. this is extremely good value for money
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In a good place now, color still young, after 1 hour in the glass, very nice foral scent, complex with dried fruits, minerals, earth. Elegant and with character.
Inmediato, muy expresivo tan sólo abrir la botella. Aparece una curiosa nota inicial herbácea a hojas de apio, ortigas, yedra, salvia, que va suavizándose y adquiriendo un punto mentolado, como a caramelo de eucalipto y limón. Intensamente perfumado, cada vez más floral. Repleto de flores marchitas, cascarillas secas de naranja, especias, jengibre seco y un fondo sutil de maderas nobles, cuero ruso y finos térreos (corteza de nogal, humus). Evoluciona poco a poco, lentamente, necesitando de horas para ir abriéndose, cada vez más boscoso, más otoñal.
Se engancha a la boca con tanta sutileza como contundencia. De apariencia ligera, fresco, pero de efectos devastadores. Sabroso, lleno de energía, con taninos finos, vivísimos. Su acidez es algo así como angular, lo constriñe todo. Se reafirma toda clase de fruta roja fresca, restreñida, acídula, con un deje de maderas elegantísimas. No deja indiferente.
Otro de los grandes vinos de López de Heredia. Exige a gritos guarda en botella aunque se disfruta ya muchísimo. Uno de los Bosconia más expresivos y con mayor impronta de la cosecha que hayamos probado nunca ¿Cambio de tendencia? En cualquier otro lugar diríamos que sí pero para nada... Nos parece que la bodega ha dado una vuelta de tuerca más y retorna a esos demoledores Viña Bosconia de 1942, 1947 o 1954. Un vino que a día de hoy es el espejismo de lo que será en el futuro. Para guardar en un arcón y legar a los nietos... La mano de María José en todo esto es innegable. Si los Tondonia blancos están en su época dorada ahora les toca a los tintos. No todo son malas noticias en estos tiempos de crisis. Un único consejo: comprar y guardar, a cajas!!!
Wine Info - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 80% tempranillo, 15% garnacho, 5% mazuelo y graciano - 12% vol. Permanece durante 6 meses en depósitos de madera donde acabar de realizar la fermentación maloláctica. Criado durante 10 años en viejas barricas de roble americano de 225 litros elaboradas por los toneleros de la misma bodega. El vino es sometido a 2 trasiegas manuales cada año. Clarificado con claras de huevo frescas. Embotellado directamente de la barrica, sin filtrar. Lacrado especial para favorecer su mejor evolución en botella y preservarlo de contaminaciones. Producción limitada a 8.500 botellas de 75 cl. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Medium light red with only a slight browning on the edge. Fairly light fruit but lots of secondary and tertiary flavors and bouquet. Lots of tobacco and earth. Ready to go and very nice.
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Drank this with the 1998 Vina Tondonia Rose Gran Reserva and 1996 Vina Tondonia White Reserva. Lopez is an amazing producer. This wine started off very herbal to me with barolo-like notes of tar and leather. The balance of tannin/acid/body was perfect. This could last many years to come. As it got air over the 3-4 hours that we drank it, more burgundian notes came through with the forest/cedar/red fruit flavors. Stunning and a steal at $90 in my opinion.
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Garnet with bricking; simply stunning nose with floral, aromatic, rustic, elegant; medium-full body, rustic red fruit, fabulous balance of concentration and fresh acid, slight spice and black pepper. Simply superb. 96 and I may be underrating it because of the tasting context.
Wonderful berry aromas and flavors with a slight herbal quality. It felt in the mouth like a well balanced burgundy, only the American oak giving it away. This has a number of years left. Quite good.
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Rioja (The Wine Country, Signal Hill, CA): ($100) Earthy nose, with a very interesting celery note. On the palate, light and elegant beam of simple leather and earth fruit, but really lacking depth and seemingly a bit simple. Well balanced and extremely long finish, but aged oaky wine still does not appeal that much to me. Underwhelmed to say the least.
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At IWM tasting in San Diego. Really interesting wine, surprised to the upside, first experience with this.
Light, almost translucent ruby color. nose was very complex red fruits, burnt vanilla, leather and earth. Palate was tart berry, orange peel. Smooth mouthfeel, medium length finish
Don't think this will get better, probably has a few more years in its zone
Rioja is rapidly taking on a bigger chunk of my vinous heart. It is layered, complex, great with food and a steal in today's market. This wine, with its lovely, mature ruby color, impresses with its leaf, earth, white flower and spice scented nose - the complexity! Medium bodied and elegant on the palate with enough wildness to keep things exciting. Super. I can't estimate the drinking window, but it is delicious now. (93)
Opened an hour in advance, no decanting. Nose of great aromatic complexity: leather, gooseberry marmalade (i.e. fruity vanilla), caramel, salt, dark berries. No edges to the taste but not quite silky nor ethereal. Good acidity. Quite unique but needs more air or bottle-age.
Ok, while previous notes apply I am having difficulty with the Burgundian and now Barolo comparisons. Bright cherries on this one with structure and balance. Incredibly beautiful elegant wine with good angular structure and some kick. Incredibly good Spanish wine. This bottle reminds me more of Barolo than Burgundy but one would guess either one. Maybe the comparison is unfair but it is my reference point. Love this wine!
Note sure if it was the brooding pre-party Pinot that coated our tongues that night, but this Bosconia (usually a family favorite) just seemed a little dull. Great haunting nose, but suffered from a flaccid finish. Chalking it up to planning the wine order of the evening wrong.
Quite an aged appearance here; saddle leather and old wood on the nose; smooth elegant palate, smooth and silky, not drying but fruit has vacated. 10 yrs aging in oak seems a little pointless here!
Nose of red cherries, red licorice, earth, herbs and spices. Deep flavors of red cherry, rose petals, red raspberry, herbs, earth and a sour cherry finish. High acid, medium tannins, medium-length finish. Young and in the early stages of drinking well, but I think this will be showing even better in 3-5+ years.
Femenine Sense of Wines (Cuenllas - Madrid): Little reduction of eucalyptus and apple with animal fur Palate is perfectly Rioja My wine. Ageing to perfection. Long way to go. I bought a bottle at the winery last summer.
Un poco de reducción con eucalipto y manzana con vello de animal Una boca a Rioja perfecto. Mi vino. Envejecido a la perfección. De largo recorrido. Compré una botella en la bodega el pasado verano.
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Popped and poured, a little too cold at cellar temperature (which in my case is about 54...) Beautiful wine, with decades left ahead. Smokey raspberry and cranberry, some cedary humidor notes. Delicate and balanced. Loved it and thankful I have more.
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Slow-O 3 hours, served at cellar temp. An elegant wine, with seamless layers of fruit and lively, focused acids. Impressive tannic composition, the fruit is allowed to speak to its purity and complexity. highly recommended, need to source some straightaway. Should be a real beauty in the coming decade, and beyond.
Clear ruby red. Perfumed nose showing some vanilla & cherry. Medium bodied, elegant wine. Acidic & structured, but with the right amount of round edges. The oak is a bit more present than say, a Tondonia bottling as this is a more delicate wine showing beauty rather than power. Completely balanced between fruit, barrel & structure. Amazing dryness/freshness & length.
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At local WS tasting. Only comment is WOW. Now I'm beginning to understand good, solid Spanish wines. Well structured, complex yet balanced, elegant texture with great fruit, tannins and acidity. Interestingly this blend is similar almost within 1% with the Tandonia yet they drink very different in style. The Burgundian reference in others notes is a fair reference.
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Tasted blind alongside a 1995 Rioja Alta 890 (also blind). Light, translucent ruby. Earthy, notes of bacon and nice acidity. Elegant and very fragrant - damn good.
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Walnut and sweet cherry, doesn't have quite the darkness of the last LdH GR Bosconia that I had (I believe 1991?). Onion and sulfur, smooth and rich on the palate, lengthy.
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2/26/2024 - mattyboy_ Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very red fruited - flavors dominated by dusty dried cherry, baked cherry, berry leaf, earth, smoke, leather. Soft tannins, medium+ acidity, Fairly light and very elegant. I paired this with braised short ribs which I think was a mistake, this would be much better with some grilled steaks or a roast.
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10/21/2023 - ryestraw wrote:
So great.
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10/19/2023 - chablis28 wrote: 96 Points
Jim and Michelene for their 40th wedding anniversary w/ chef Don Saunders. Matt L's btl flighted with Dave D's 95' Tondonia. Last time I had these 2 wines together I preferred this to the Tondonia. Tonight I flipped and a slight preference for the Tondonia's marvelous fruit. This was a little more darkly complected and slightly less giving tonight. That said I loved it's resolve, elegance and tertiary notes. The "other" stunning btl in a stunning flight! Thanks Matt L! 96+
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10/19/2023 - Bellissimo Likes this wine:
Brought to friends. Splash decanted to ensure it was not flawed and sediment, rebottled, slow O'd for 2 hours and we got around to this. Note from memory. Tasted alongside a '95 Tondonia Gran Reserva -- FUN comparison.
Note in a word: ETHEREAL. Just so light on its feet yet beautiful, complex and balanced. Floral, red fruit, sous bois, loam and oh my did this pair well with duck. Still thinking about this a day later.
You hear people compare the Bosconia to Burgundy and tasting this alongside the '95 Tondonia Gran Reserva (more traditionally compared to Bordeaux) one absolutely understands the comparisons.
What a treat. Thanks to our hosts and Dave for bringing its "Bordeaux" companion.
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10/4/2023 - asparagus Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wow. Blind. Opened 3.5 hrs prior. Everyone thought it was a Burg good 1er or GC. Heehee
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6/22/2023 - scamhi wrote:
drinking beautifully right now
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5/9/2023 - sharonandroland Likes this wine: 95 Points
Classic, classy Lopez de Heredia. More suble (more Burgundian? as the bottle would suggest) and more cherry, sous bois than the Tondonia. At a lovely stage of evolution. Ethereal and light footed, yet so yummy.
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5/3/2023 - kwl wrote: 91 Points
Cellartracker says that I drank a bottle of this in 2018, which I had no recollection of. But what a difference 6 years makes. Popped and slow-oxed 8 hours before dinner. Pale brown/garnet in the glass. The nose delivers an elegant/graceful but complex bouquet of red cherries/mulberries, meatiness/leather and mocha. The palate was harmonious, though could do with a bit more structure to balance the acidity. Drinking very very well now at 28 years of age.
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12/7/2022 - decaturwinedude wrote:
A Good Tuesday, Vol VIII: Lopez de Heredia and Friends: Last year we did the 94 together- this year the 95s. This is more rustic, next to Tondonia. More earth tones-not quite the power. But quite elegant, floral, cigar box. Food brings out the silky cherry fruit on weightless palate. Quite good. Interestingly, Chablis28s note below captures almost exactly how we felt about the 95s side-by-side tonight.
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11/29/2022 - chablis28 wrote: 98 Points
David's btl at Chez Jimmy! A great feast of Lamb & Prime rib in the hands of one of our favorite local Greeks! This flight was to die for tonight. David's btl was paired alongside Dave's '95 Tondonia Gran Rerserva. Perfect scenario for a wine flight! Both wines were weightlessly ethereal & classics! The Bosconia was just a tic more layered & tertiary while Dave's Tondonia offered up a bit more vibrant fruit. Degrees of greatness from both btls. Both mesmerizing!!! Dam it, I wish I had grabbed more of these aged Lopez Gran Reservas 10yrs ago! Thank you David & Dave for sharing these rare birds!
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11/29/2022 - minndavid60 Likes this wine: 98 Points
Side by side tasting with an equally rocking 95 Tondonia Gran Reserva and served with perhaps the best grilled lamb chops I’ve ever had. Hoping chablis28 will post a more detailed note but this was absolutely stunning and a wine I would be happy to drink forever. Very youthful and with that Bosconia weightlessness.
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11/27/2021 - UFGators Likes this wine: 96 Points
I was blown away how youthful this is. Tons of fruit and some tertiary flavors. This is truly delicious. This is drinking in the sweet spot for me since I enjoy the fruit but this has many many years ahead of this.
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10/30/2021 - 560 B&W Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lovely and unbelievably fresh for its age. 13%
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10/3/2021 - lovanc@outlook.com wrote:
This is a fantastic wine. Floral on the nose but much darker fruit flavors compared to its younger sibling from the previous night. Good acidity and lighter on the palate make it very food friendly.
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2/5/2021 - BillBell73 Likes this wine:
Bosconia is always such a smooth and graceful wine and this vintage is a perfect example of that. Typically sedate dried cherry and leather with a tiny bit of vegetal funk in the nose but it is more a feature than a flaw. Excellent!
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12/31/2020 - DK Amateur wrote:
Beautiful translucent red-brown colour. Fine nose with red earth, toast and dried cherries. Rather light in the mouth but with long aftertaste. Very high acidity and much less sweet than the reserva. More developed than seven years ago. Will probably keep half a century from here.
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12/8/2020 - asparagus Likes this wine: 96 Points
This was a clear WoTN. Dark cherries, violets, spice and some tobacco. Good acid, present but silky tannins and a long, lingering And savory finish. A wow wine.
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11/28/2020 - Topper wrote: 95 Points
Others have described this very well. I'll only say that it was firing on all cylinders, gained strength in the glass and was the perfect accompaniment to Thanksgiving dinner
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5/31/2020 - snsharma Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured to a barnyard nose that settled to a classic Rioja nose after about an hour, and stayed til the next day. Medium-full body. Well-balanced fruit that was good right out of the bottle, and didn’t change much. I didn’t get a lot of secondary characteristics on day 1 or 2. Great finish that lingers for awhile. Good right now but easily holdable for another 5-10 years, which I’d probably recommend if you can keep your hands off it!
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2/22/2020 - WST wrote:
A superb and elegant wine, one of my favorites thus far this year. I can understand the “Burgundian” comparison based on its ethereal character, its lightness and the gorgeous texture. Be that as it may, the flavors and aromas were a far cry from Burgundy. Pipe tobacco and dried earthy cherry, exceptionally clean and pure. The wine captures you with the first breath and sip, but needs attention to fully appreciate the subtle greatness.
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2/20/2020 - William Kelley Likes this wine: 94 Points
The 1995 Viña Bosconia is showing beautifully, unfurling in the glass with aromas of cherries, dried red berries and plums, mingled with warm spices, dark chocolate and dried fig. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and supple, with a lovely spine of acidity, refined but not yet fully resolved tannins, and a long, sapid finish. This is a beautiful Gran Reserva that is still a decade away from its true peak.
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1/15/2020 - blanquito wrote: 93 Points
Popped late in the evening on a whim, I was worried it would show too young after all the senior citizens we had opened, but this is an outstanding Bosconia already giving a lot. Again, quite Burgundian in texture. Clean, bright fruit, terrific depth and balance, fresher than some LdH wines and again shows very little if any new oak influences. Doesn't seem fruity but has all the fruit needed to balance the acids and structure. If you own, you are lucky and you will enjoy this wine for decades to come.
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1/11/2020 - edwardochu Likes this wine: 93 Points
beautiful nose, very seductive! Its at the beginning of its middle age, which should last for another 15 years.
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12/25/2019 - diggydan wrote: 96 Points
This really sucked. The nose was only a beguiling mix of black cherry, earth, and old oak and the body was nothing more than fine silk. On the palate lively cherry and good acids and a long smooth, finish left me wanting more.
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10/17/2019 - andtheodor wrote: 94 Points
Served double blind. Cranberry, rhubarb, wild strawberry fruit over tangy acidity. Funky, intense, a touch acetic, with a decayed leaves and beef broth savoriness. Great stuff.
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5/25/2019 - Billigan wrote: 90 Points
A little disappointed at the showing here, but I suppose a little variability comes with the territory with LdH. Beautiful, classic nose on opening, with crushed cherry, leather, warm soil, and dill aromas. The usual Bosconia litheness on the palate with resolved tannins and a lovely line of acidity, but it fell flat on the finish, which only seemed to get more sour and short as it sat in the glass (where usually LdH actually picks up steam with air). Not sure if it was just an off bottle, as the notes here are generally more enthusiastic, but I'll give this another whirl in 5 years and see if it finds another gear...
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5/25/2019 - wineismylife wrote: 91 Points
WIML91
Tasted non blind.
Garnet color in the glass, fairly clear looking. Nose of barnyard and mixed berries. Flavors of red berries and raspberries. Medium acidity, resolved tannin, medium to full bodied. Drink now. Can be held if preferred.
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1/26/2019 - BillyT wrote: 94 Points
Previous notes apply. Sorry but we were at dinner at Barcelona in Reston VA so no notes taken. Excellent, great drinking window but more life remains. Again, very Burgundian and Barolo in terroir and fruit profile yet distinct characteristics of Rioja. Just an incredibly beautiful wine.
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10/12/2018 - heymamalow wrote: 93 Points
Dinner at Binomio w Asparagus and others. Concur with Asparagus on being WOTN. More than held its own against a '93 Biondi Santi and '81 Vega Sicilia Unico.
Oozes class in the way it combines fresh red fruits and raciness with spice notes and a supple body.
I think it can get better from here. Interested to see how it evolves.. Do the fruits give way to more secondary flavours? If i tasted it blind, I would have guessed an excellent Chambolle Musigny
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10/12/2018 - asparagus Likes this wine: 95 Points
A wow wine. Intense red fruits, spice and tobacco. Starting to enter its drinking window with a long, long time to go. Tangy acidity and fine (but present tannin) - this wine carried the american oak seamlessly. I might be underscoring this...
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8/25/2018 - grafstrb wrote:
-- decanted a couple hours before initial taste --
-- tasted non-blind over a few hours --
I could write "Incredible." and be done with this note. Easily my WOTN, besting my runner-up, the 1994 Ornellaia, by what feels like a considerable margin. Red-fruited, with some cigar spice. Great acidity. Gut impression score: mid 90's. This is stupid-good.
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8/23/2018 - ryestraw wrote:
Tannins well resolved. Some tertiary notes coming in, but still some primary fruit there. A lovely wine. Drink or hold.
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6/13/2018 - I1bearup wrote: 95 Points
Truly wonderful! Slight hint of Brett but integrated so nicely! This wine was really about the mouthfeel. The weight was light but round and the texture was unreal! Having just had the 2005 Bosconia Reserva, which was a tannic unpleasent beast, this was truly perfect.
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5/26/2018 - Mackmoo Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nice drop. Really opened up after a couple of hours. Initially had a muted finish. Nose and flavours became more complex as well.
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3/6/2018 - SteveG wrote: 94 Points
Garnet with orange-pink edges. The nose is fresh, slightly dried red and black berries, dark damp earth, wet leaves. The palate is in kind, clean and fresh, pleasantly tart, rich but light. The finish is long, just barely sweet, with proper tannins. Really a terrific and regal wine, tastes mature but young, as it should. Enjoyed with lamb stew and polenta.
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1/28/2018 - BillyT wrote: 94 Points
Last bottle in 2013 and waiting did NOT disappoint! Again, past notes apply and most especially the Burgundian/Barolo reference. Opened about 1 hour prior to drinking but the taste from PnP was incredible. This wine is incredibly balanced with great fruit, integrated tannins, silky smooth mouth feel with a lingering spicy finish. Structured legs seemed evident of a big Spanish wine yet the wine was silky smooth. Initial color was showing rust at the rim however, after an hour it was not to be seen. The nose was Burgundian with smoke, blood and bright cherries. Was the perfect wine with tapas at Arroz in DC which is a must go to if you have opportunity. The blend of Spanish, Moroccan and African flavors is incredible and this light with its light, medium body yet bold flavors paired perfectly.
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12/7/2017 - LFCHALA Likes this wine: 95 Points
wow
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11/9/2017 - Lype Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very fine classic wine, great aromatics and depth. Highly recommended,
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7/14/2017 - diggydan wrote: 95 Points
Beautiful, sculpted body marble smooth. Nose has some light cherry, earth, and old oak. Palate is acid bright, light weight, aged fruit, earth, wood. Such a beauty.
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2/18/2017 - nittanyjack Does not like this wine:
This bottle was dead...no TCA, just gone. Very disappointing given recent reviews. Bought from a reputable store about 3 years ago; not sure about provenance prior to that.
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1/22/2017 - jreis Likes this wine:
What a beautiful bottle of wine. Just entering its drinking window, not at all showy, but subtle and well balanced. Blackberry brandy, a riot of herbs, subtle notes of dill and dusty earth on the nose. Beautiful dried cherries, high toned fruit, crisp acidity and nice sun baked earth on the palate - everything in balance, nothing out of place.
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12/5/2016 - aagrawal wrote: 96 Points
Dinner with Jay Hack (Les clos, San Francisco): This is my second time tasting this and it is silly good. Hugely aromatic nose with plenty of red fruit, spice, slight vegetal, almost difficult to describe properly; palate is superbly balanced, medium tannin, very complex. Superb. 96+
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8/6/2016 - chcook Likes this wine:
Brief note. opened and decided against decanting, and I was happy that we didn't because within an hour this was in full bloom. cork was wet to top. color was ruby sith significant bricking at edges. definitely a delicate flower...not for your cali cab aficionado friends. elegant, soft and supple are all adjectives that came to mind, but this bottle was totally secondary and ready to go. thanks Ed!
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8/5/2016 - BuzzzzOff Likes this wine: 94 Points
Wow! Chef Alex of Fofo's suggested this wine the night before via WhatsApp. The sommelier opened the bottle at 11am anticipating sipping around 2pmish after our Cava and Albarino. Perfect planning! Light, brownish-red on the eye. Bouquet of veggies, mellow yet over-ripe black cherries, touch of toasted oak, liquorice and leather. Sous bois. Palate of mellow black fruits, coffee, some chocolate with medium-bodied tannins and elegant, smooth finish. Excellent!
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7/14/2016 - asparagus wrote: 91 Points
lovely nose of cherries and tobacco. worth the admission price alone.
on the palatte, this was surprisingly thin (even insipid) at first but it put on weight and got progressively better throughout the night (4+ hours), but was not as good as I had hoped.
what was obvious is that it is still in its primary phase and will have many years, even decades, to go
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6/19/2016 - scorrea Likes this wine: 89 Points
Smooth with resolved tannins but fading fruit.
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6/16/2016 - tastark Likes this wine:
I love that L. de Heredia releases wines when they're drinking well. This one is singing right now. Just lovely.
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6/5/2016 - WST Likes this wine:
Opened this too late in the event to post a sober enlightened TN. I remember it was more stringent than the preceding reds, without losing elegance.
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6/4/2016 - Chaz Bham wrote:
Reticent on the nose. A subtle, elegant wine with details that you might miss if you don't play close attention. Demonstrates nice acidity that Bosconia is reputed for. Subtle dill tones (that I happen to enjoy). This bottle seemed younger than stated age, with quite a way to go. May be interesting to visit in a future decade, I suppose some potential for more tertiary elements to develop. Always a treat to sample from WST's Spanish selection.
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5/15/2016 - BornToRhone Likes this wine: 94 Points
750ml; PnP; transparent light red with some orange bricking. Looks light and not heavy. The nose and palette are rocking! Slightly funky, slightly sherry, slight earthy, with big cherry. Add a hint of white pepper and spice.
This wine was in my cellar, but how it got there, I am not certain. All I know is I wish I had more!
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3/23/2016 - minndavid60 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Not much to add to rocknroller's note other than I picked up some meat broth/beef blood/bit of sauvage on the nose. Totally loved this and was a great match with the veal ragu tagliatelle.
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3/23/2016 - rocknroller wrote: 94 Points
Mixed Frenchies & a Rockin' Good Lopez (Spoon & Stable, Mpls, MN): Dark red color, mild bricked margin. This had some air beforehand. Drank 2 glasses over 75 minutes. I just adored this wine tonight. Showing everything I remember from previous bottles. Wonderful nose with earth, a mix of red and darker fruits, fabulous cherry, lacquer, nice oak, aromatic, hi toned, spice. The palate is medium full bodied, elegant, showing depth in the middle and building energy, red fruits, cherry and raspberry, earth, briar, hints of dill and maybe some cigar, integrated tannins, and a long refined finish. Wonderful, can probably go 10 years. 94+pts.
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1/23/2016 - Rani Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasted blind. A bit closed, notes of earth. Tons of acidity, very fine, light to medium bodied. I'd wait with this wine a few years, or if opened now, open well in advance of serving.
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8/28/2015 - WST Likes this wine:
Another great showing. Started a bit lean and acrid, but halfway through dinner and decant it started strutting, showing delicate red fruit, smokey cedar, with great acidic cut. Good pairing through a host of courses, surprisingly including halibut.
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6/29/2015 - MAOC wrote:
Decanted for a couple of hours and drunk across 2-3. The nose is very distinctively Bosconia - delicate slightly sour cherry with hints of herbs and leather, intoxicating even at quite q primary phase. The palate is silky but intense with lovely balance. The wine changed constantly in the glass, first producing a distinctive pleasant dill note which morphed into a meaty tone as the wine seemed to put on some weight in the final glass. Great now as not too coiled, but loads of time in hand. ****(1/2)
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5/1/2015 - andtheodor wrote: 91 Points
Iron, pu-erh tea, sour cherry, a bit brothy. Good acidity, perfume, and length. Somewhat lost on its own but kaleidoscopic with grilled lamb.
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4/29/2015 - yofog wrote:
Seems sightly cooler and higher toned than the brawny 94, with beef, sour cherry, tea, and feral notes. Great cut and length.
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3/22/2015 - EhrlichDY Likes this wine: 94 Points
Popped and slow oxed for six hours before dinner. This one got Better and better over eight hours suggesting a very bright future. Very similar impression to DECATURWIEDUDE. Elegant and sappy and gulpable. Drink now of over the next twenty years.
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2/27/2015 - decaturwinedude Likes this wine: 95 Points
Gah, what an elegant and beautiful showing. Nose shows flowers, cigar box, and wet leaves. Almost a Burgundian nose. Medium weight, soft, supple mouth-feel. Sweet red fruit. Almost sappy, with a wiry, fresh acidity. Integrated and mature, it feels regal and sophisticated, from the nose to the finish. A joy.
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1/30/2015 - AV2012 wrote: 91 Points
Forest, some marinade on the nose. Earthy, savoury, quite light bodied for a GR. Denser and sweeter than Tondonia GR '94 we had alongside. Long finish with a peppery element. Lovely.
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12/25/2014 - djarcara Likes this wine: 93 Points
An very elegant medium body wine. Nice brick color. The tannins are super soft with a very silky texture. Flavors of plum, cassis, cigar box, cedar, and cinnamon. Lovely wine. Ready to drink now, at its peak. Would pay a lot more for a similar quality wine if from Bordeaux or Burgundy.
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12/6/2014 - Bellissimo Likes this wine:
Brought to a tastnig. Double decanted, left bottle open to breathe on the table approximately 3 hours before serving. Served in the same flight as some high end red Burgs and felt right at home.
Nose was floral, savory, dried cherries with some funk. Palate had a little funk but was really more about the red fruit, loam, rosemarry and oak all coming together. Medium weight, nicely balanced, long finish. Has many fine years ahead of it but is in a fantastic place right now.
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11/6/2014 - rocknroller wrote: 94 Points
Lopez de Heredia Tasting - 4 decades (Sunfish Cellars, St. Paul, MN): Medium red color, 4mm bricked margin. PNP, drank 2oz pour over 25 minutes. Wow, great nose, funk and floral, savory, dried roses, red berry fruit, brown sugar hints. The palate is also a wow, intense and flavorful, elegant, red berries, cherry, rose, earth, nice oak, medium body, and a 30+ second finish. 94+pts.
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6/30/2014 - dbkitc wrote: 93 Points
Mature brick color. Complex nose of raw beef, green pepper, wild strawberry fruit and new leather. This medium bodied wine has good flavor penetration throughout - the finish is especially strong. Leaves a strong, positive impression. (93)
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4/9/2014 - pjaines Likes this wine:
Grrrr........this was lovely....like a feral animal brought in from the wild and told to be a good doggie in the house. Beef stock, cherries, residual oak, red fruit....tangy and alluring. Not for those who like fat fruit and bland international wines.....this is excellent.....years ahead of it.
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3/26/2014 - BillBell73 wrote: 94 Points
Still a baby, a little bricking but acidity very strong and tannins still hanging on. Just now starting to develop the old school Rioja nose, but very, very good right now if you prefer more fruit to funk. Many decades of life ahead for this vintage.
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1/21/2014 - Isalasdad wrote: 94 Points
Cherries, rosemary and cedar. A lovely old vintage wine.
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1/9/2014 - Rani wrote: 95 Points
Intoxicating aromas of dark cherries, plums, hung meat and earth. Simply delicious, superbly balanced and silky. Elegant and persisting.
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1/1/2014 - Hypersphere Likes this wine: 93 Points
Opened and decanted for 3 hours before tasting. This wine has amazing body, and while it's looking quite bricked already, it holds itself very well, and tasted like a much younger vintage.
Had on rosemary roast, over the course of an hour. this is extremely good value for money
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12/30/2013 - MemorialWineFan Likes this wine: 93 Points
3 hour decant. This one is young and needs some time to open up. A 4-6 hour decant would be better. Bursting with flavor. Very enjoyable wine.
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12/25/2013 - danielk168 wrote: 92 Points
In a good place now, color still young, after 1 hour in the glass, very nice foral scent, complex with dried fruits, minerals, earth. Elegant and with character.
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12/19/2013 - Los 12 Glotones Likes this wine: 95 Points
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Els12golafres Wine Tasting Group: http://vinosclasicos.blogspot.com.es/2013/12/vina-bosconia-1995-gran-reserva.html
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De color rubí rojizo de capa media-alta, bastante más oscuro que la anterior añada de 1991. Limpísimo, brillante, reflejos grandinos y cobrizos. Borde estrecho, anaranjado, marcado respecto al menisco.
Inmediato, muy expresivo tan sólo abrir la botella. Aparece una curiosa nota inicial herbácea a hojas de apio, ortigas, yedra, salvia, que va suavizándose y adquiriendo un punto mentolado, como a caramelo de eucalipto y limón. Intensamente perfumado, cada vez más floral. Repleto de flores marchitas, cascarillas secas de naranja, especias, jengibre seco y un fondo sutil de maderas nobles, cuero ruso y finos térreos (corteza de nogal, humus). Evoluciona poco a poco, lentamente, necesitando de horas para ir abriéndose, cada vez más boscoso, más otoñal.
Se engancha a la boca con tanta sutileza como contundencia. De apariencia ligera, fresco, pero de efectos devastadores. Sabroso, lleno de energía, con taninos finos, vivísimos. Su acidez es algo así como angular, lo constriñe todo. Se reafirma toda clase de fruta roja fresca, restreñida, acídula, con un deje de maderas elegantísimas. No deja indiferente.
Otro de los grandes vinos de López de Heredia. Exige a gritos guarda en botella aunque se disfruta ya muchísimo. Uno de los Bosconia más expresivos y con mayor impronta de la cosecha que hayamos probado nunca ¿Cambio de tendencia? En cualquier otro lugar diríamos que sí pero para nada... Nos parece que la bodega ha dado una vuelta de tuerca más y retorna a esos demoledores Viña Bosconia de 1942, 1947 o 1954. Un vino que a día de hoy es el espejismo de lo que será en el futuro. Para guardar en un arcón y legar a los nietos... La mano de María José en todo esto es innegable. Si los Tondonia blancos están en su época dorada ahora les toca a los tintos. No todo son malas noticias en estos tiempos de crisis. Un único consejo: comprar y guardar, a cajas!!!
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80% tempranillo, 15% garnacho, 5% mazuelo y graciano - 12% vol.
Permanece durante 6 meses en depósitos de madera donde acabar de realizar la fermentación maloláctica. Criado durante 10 años en viejas barricas de roble americano de 225 litros elaboradas por los toneleros de la misma bodega. El vino es sometido a 2 trasiegas manuales cada año. Clarificado con claras de huevo frescas. Embotellado directamente de la barrica, sin filtrar. Lacrado especial para favorecer su mejor evolución en botella y preservarlo de contaminaciones. Producción limitada a 8.500 botellas de 75 cl.
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11/23/2013 - WinoRick wrote: 92 Points
Medium light red with only a slight browning on the edge. Fairly light fruit but lots of secondary and tertiary flavors and bouquet. Lots of tobacco and earth. Ready to go and very nice.
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11/6/2013 - fanglangzhe Likes this wine: 92 Points
red & dark fruits. cherry, strawberry. espresso, cocoa, great acidity.
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9/28/2013 - JustinHandlin87 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank this with the 1998 Vina Tondonia Rose Gran Reserva and 1996 Vina Tondonia White Reserva. Lopez is an amazing producer. This wine started off very herbal to me with barolo-like notes of tar and leather. The balance of tannin/acid/body was perfect. This could last many years to come. As it got air over the 3-4 hours that we drank it, more burgundian notes came through with the forest/cedar/red fruit flavors. Stunning and a steal at $90 in my opinion.
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9/7/2013 - aagrawal wrote: 96 Points
Garnet with bricking; simply stunning nose with floral, aromatic, rustic, elegant; medium-full body, rustic red fruit, fabulous balance of concentration and fresh acid, slight spice and black pepper. Simply superb. 96 and I may be underrating it because of the tasting context.
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8/13/2013 - tzelmer wrote: 90 Points
Wonderful berry aromas and flavors with a slight herbal quality. It felt in the mouth like a well balanced burgundy, only the American oak giving it away. This has a number of years left. Quite good.
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6/28/2013 - PIntag wrote: 88 Points
Rioja (The Wine Country, Signal Hill, CA): ($100) Earthy nose, with a very interesting celery note. On the palate, light and elegant beam of simple leather and earth fruit, but really lacking depth and seemingly a bit simple. Well balanced and extremely long finish, but aged oaky wine still does not appeal that much to me. Underwhelmed to say the least.
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6/25/2013 - walkerjfw wrote: 93 Points
At IWM tasting in San Diego. Really interesting wine, surprised to the upside, first experience with this.
Light, almost translucent ruby color. nose was very complex red fruits, burnt vanilla, leather and earth. Palate was tart berry, orange peel. Smooth mouthfeel, medium length finish
Don't think this will get better, probably has a few more years in its zone
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6/10/2013 - dbkitc wrote: 93 Points
Rioja is rapidly taking on a bigger chunk of my vinous heart. It is layered, complex, great with food and a steal in today's market. This wine, with its lovely, mature ruby color, impresses with its leaf, earth, white flower and spice scented nose - the complexity! Medium bodied and elegant on the palate with enough wildness to keep things exciting. Super. I can't estimate the drinking window, but it is delicious now. (93)
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6/8/2013 - DK Amateur wrote:
Opened an hour in advance, no decanting. Nose of great aromatic complexity: leather, gooseberry marmalade (i.e. fruity vanilla), caramel, salt, dark berries. No edges to the taste but not quite silky nor ethereal. Good acidity. Quite unique but needs more air or bottle-age.
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5/27/2013 - BillyT wrote: 92 Points
Ok, while previous notes apply I am having difficulty with the Burgundian and now Barolo comparisons. Bright cherries on this one with structure and balance. Incredibly beautiful elegant wine with good angular structure and some kick. Incredibly good Spanish wine. This bottle reminds me more of Barolo than Burgundy but one would guess either one. Maybe the comparison is unfair but it is my reference point. Love this wine!
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5/26/2013 - muredskin14 wrote: 90 Points
Note sure if it was the brooding pre-party Pinot that coated our tongues that night, but this Bosconia (usually a family favorite) just seemed a little dull. Great haunting nose, but suffered from a flaccid finish. Chalking it up to planning the wine order of the evening wrong.
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5/22/2013 - vespasian wrote: 88 Points
Quite an aged appearance here; saddle leather and old wood on the nose; smooth elegant palate, smooth and silky, not drying but fruit has vacated. 10 yrs aging in oak seems a little pointless here!
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5/20/2013 - David_T wrote: 92 Points
Nose of red cherries, red licorice, earth, herbs and spices. Deep flavors of red cherry, rose petals, red raspberry, herbs, earth and a sour cherry finish. High acid, medium tannins, medium-length finish. Young and in the early stages of drinking well, but I think this will be showing even better in 3-5+ years.
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5/3/2013 - GalvezGuy Likes this wine: 93 Points
CT Texas V - North Dallas Forty and then some; 5/3/2013-5/5/2013 (McKinney, North Dallas, TX): Beautiful nose of vanilla, cherry, orange peel, and spice. On the palate, bright cherry, orange peel, and spice. Beautiful balance. Drinking very well right now. I like this just a bit better than the 94 Tondonia today, in a few years it may be a different story.
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3/27/2013 - astroman wrote:
Leather with orange peel and honey. Lively acid on palate that is very focus. Light body seemly lacking in mid palate. Lacks finish.
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3/20/2013 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:
Femenine Sense of Wines (Cuenllas - Madrid): Little reduction of eucalyptus and apple with animal fur
Palate is perfectly Rioja
My wine. Ageing to perfection. Long way to go. I bought a bottle at the winery last summer.
Un poco de reducción con eucalipto y manzana con vello de animal
Una boca a Rioja perfecto.
Mi vino. Envejecido a la perfección. De largo recorrido. Compré una botella en la bodega el pasado verano.
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3/1/2013 - WST Likes this wine: 93 Points
Popped and poured, a little too cold at cellar temperature (which in my case is about 54...) Beautiful wine, with decades left ahead. Smokey raspberry and cranberry, some cedary humidor notes. Delicate and balanced. Loved it and thankful I have more.
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1/11/2013 - Tim Heaton wrote:
Slow-O 3 hours, served at cellar temp. An elegant wine, with seamless layers of fruit and lively, focused acids. Impressive tannic composition, the fruit is allowed to speak to its purity and complexity. highly recommended, need to source some straightaway. Should be a real beauty in the coming decade, and beyond.
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11/30/2012 - Anthony Lombardi wrote:
Clear ruby red. Perfumed nose showing some vanilla & cherry. Medium bodied, elegant wine. Acidic & structured, but with the right amount of round edges. The oak is a bit more present than say, a Tondonia bottling as this is a more delicate wine showing beauty rather than power. Completely balanced between fruit, barrel & structure. Amazing dryness/freshness & length.
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11/15/2012 - BillyT wrote: 93 Points
At local WS tasting. Only comment is WOW. Now I'm beginning to understand good, solid Spanish wines. Well structured, complex yet balanced, elegant texture with great fruit, tannins and acidity. Interestingly this blend is similar almost within 1% with the Tandonia yet they drink very different in style. The Burgundian reference in others notes is a fair reference.
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11/3/2012 - mcases wrote: 98 Points
State of the art wine.
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10/16/2012 - chablis28 wrote: 92 Points
Burgundian in spirit. Layered and intriguing. Best out of a Burg glass. I started it in a BDX stem but the nose wasn't showing.
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8/8/2012 - Rani wrote: 94 Points
Tasted blind alongside a 1995 Rioja Alta 890 (also blind). Light, translucent ruby. Earthy, notes of bacon and nice acidity. Elegant and very fragrant - damn good.
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8/2/2012 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Walnut and sweet cherry, doesn't have quite the darkness of the last LdH GR Bosconia that I had (I believe 1991?). Onion and sulfur, smooth and rich on the palate, lengthy.
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