91
points
R. Lopez de Heredia 2001 Viña Bosconia Reserva Tempranillo (Rioja)
-
$41
Wild flowers, fresh herbs and tobacco aromas add a classic touch to the bouquet, and in the mouth it’s alert, with juicy acidity propping up raspberry fruit and oak-based vanilla. Some might call it tangy but there’s body and depth to this unfiltered, natural-yeast wine, which can be drunk now but should probably be held for another decade or so. Best from 2014–2019.
— M.S.
(11/1/2009)
86
points
R. Lopez de Heredia 1996 Viña Bosconia Reserva Tempranillo (Rioja)
-
$21
López de Heredia is known for classic, lightweight Riojas, and this wine fits that bill. The color is rusty, the nose raisiny and sherried. Plenty of leather and puckery acidity keep it lively, but there isn’t much fruit beyond pie cherry and rhubarb. Very stylistic and not for everyone, but if you like the Old-World mode, here it is, front and center.
— M.S.
(3/1/2004)
84
points
R. Lopez de Heredia 1996 Viña Bosconia Reserva Red (Rioja)
-
$32
The poster-boy wine for old Rioja is indeed tasting and acting old, even more so than its eight years. It’s orange in color, with nothing but acidity on the palate. The best part is the intriguing nose, which offers vanilla, citrus peel and saddle leather. Unfortunately, there’s nothing left of this wine’s body. It’s emaciated.
— M.S.
(9/1/2004)
84
points
R. Lopez de Heredia 1995 Viña Tondonia Rosé (Rioja)
-
$27
Part of you will be complexed by this unique-for-the-sake-of-unique oak-aged "rosé" while the rest of you, the less generous part, will want to pour it down the drain. It's oxidized, loaded with resiny wood, and tastes as much like sherried orange juice as fine wine. Yet on the other hand, it has apricot and almondy flavors and pulsing acidity that make you give it…
— M.S.
(7/1/2007)