Viña Bosconia 1964 Gran Reserva

Wine: Viña Bosconia 1964 Gran Reserva
Winery: R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacho, 10% Mazuelo and Graciano.
ABV: 11.5% vol. 

Winemaking

The wine remained for 6 months in wooden vats to complete malolactic fermentation. It was aged for 9 years in old 225-liter American oak barrels crafted by the winery's own cooperage. The wine underwent two manual rackings per year and was fined with fresh egg whites. Bottled directly from the barrel without filtration, featuring a special wax seal for optimal preservation and evolution. This specific unit features a special label for the U.S. market from the 1970s. Limited production of 18,000 bottles (75 cl). It rested for a minimum of 44 months in the bottle prior to its commercial release. 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Garnet-ruby color with medium-high depth; clear, translucent, and brilliant. Effulgent and clean, featuring pomegranate and coppery reflections. Wide, entirely tawny/brick-colored rim.

 

Nose: High intensity and perfumed. Initially filled with notes of candied red fruit (cherries, bitter orange marmalade, sloes) with a curious hint of fennel and a balsamic background of aromatic herbs: lavender, ivy, and sage. Complex and expressive, it gains continuous depth over several hours. As it breathes, it becomes increasingly subtle and "Burgundian," revealing elegant layers of fine wood, cedar, old leather, coffee beans, smoked peppers, and vanilla. All of this is enveloped in creamy toast, cigar box, and Virginia tobacco. In a word: elegance.

 

Palate: Firmly anchored by a sharp, cold, mineral, and earthy acidity that serves as a foundation for a profile as delicate as it is overflowing with life. Savory, balanced, and round, with no single element overpowering the rest. It is filled with beautiful spicy fruit and exquisite creamy oak nuances. An expansive and very long finish.

 

Commentary

The 1964 Viña Bosconia is a joyous wine that once again proves the legendary stature of the 1964 vintage. It possesses a "Burgundian" soul—ethereal and perfumed—yet is supported by a structural nerve that guarantees its perfection for decades to come. A masterclass in balance and traditional elegance that stands as an absolute reference for Riojan excellence.

 

Personal Score: 95
Tasting Group Average: 94