Viña Bosconia 2002 Reserva

Wine: Viña Bosconia 2002 Reserva
Winery: R. López de Heredia - Viña Tondonia (Haro, Rioja Alta)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho, 5% Mazuelo and Graciano
ABV: 12.5% 

Winemaking:
All grapes are estate-grown, sourced from the "El Bosque" vineyard. Manual harvest took place during the second and third weeks of October. Fermentation was carried out in traditional 60-hectoliter oak vats without temperature control. The wine matured for 60 months in used American oak barrels (225L), with two manual gravity rackings performed each year. Traditionally fined with fresh egg whites and bottled unfiltered. Limited production of 30,000 bottles. Aged for a minimum of three years in the winery’s underground cellars before release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Garnet-ruby with medium depth; slightly darker than other comparable vintages. Limpid and free of sediment. Matte finish with muted brilliance and reddish-orange reflections. Broad, saffron-toned (azafranado) rim.

 

Nose: Remarkably soft, balanced, and aromatic. It reveals notes of reduced red fruit infused in seasoned wood, alongside hints of withered flowers and traditional rackings. Its character is extremely classic and recognizable. Nuances of bitter orange marmalade, blond tobacco, old leather, and smoked pepper emerge, followed by molasses, creamy toast, and cocoa powder. A subtle vegetal backdrop of esparto and plant fibers is present—a trait increasingly common in the early years of recent Bosconia Reserva releases. Compact and seamless, yet suggesting a need for further bottle development. 

 

Palate: Even less accessible on the palate: dry, fresh, and possessing a firm structure with noticeable initial tannicity. The tannins are marked and bitter, supported by a good amount of spicy red fruit. It currently lacks the full integration required for roundness; it feels "raw," which might give a deceptive impression of simplicity.

 

Commentary:
While it is highly drinkable and the depth of a great wine is evident, it is far from its peak. If the winery could hold these Bosconia releases for an additional 5 to 10 years before commercialization, they would be absolute "powerhouses." A wine to buy and forget in the cellar.

 

Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Average: 90