Viña Bosconia 1991 Gran Reserva

Wine: Viña Bosconia 1991 Gran Reserva

Winery: R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, 5% Mazuelo and Graciano
ABV: 12.5%
Winemaking

The wine spent 6 months in oak vats to complete malolactic fermentation. It was aged for 9 years in seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels handcrafted by the winery's own coopers. The wine underwent two manual rackings (trasiegas) per year. Fined with fresh egg whites and bottled directly from the cask without filtration. It features a special wax seal to ensure optimal bottle evolution and protect it from contamination. Limited production of 5,000 bottles (75 cl). It was aged in the bottle for a minimum of 44 months prior to release.

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: Bright, clear reddish-ruby with medium depth; pristine. It shows copper and orange highlights. The rim is narrow and tawny (tile-red), with almost no distinction from the meniscus. 

 

Nose: Opening this bottle is pure pleasure. Open, fragrant, and powerful; it is filled with aromas of perfumed, concentrated red fruit that is slightly liqueur-like (sloe, cherries, quince paste), alongside petals, withered flowers, and high-quality toasted nuances. Its bouquet may still be somewhat constrained and has yet to reach full development—especially when compared to the monumental 1981 Bosconia GR—but it shows immense promise and potential for further aging. Spicy notes, wine-soaked staves, coffee beans, a hint of tar, and an ultra-fine balsamic touch of citrus zest gradually emerge. 

 

Palate: Less expressive on the palate but built upon a firm, earthquake-proof structure. It features a great acidity that contrasts with its overall lightness. Fresh, polished, and mature, with perceptible tannins, intense spices, and a hint of concentrated red fruit. It requires significant bottle age to reach its absolute peak. This wine is destined for greatness, provided we are patient and allow it several more years of cellaring.

 

Personal Score: 93
Tasting Group Score: 93