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Red dry
López de Heredia Viña Bosconia Reserva Rioja 2015 is a red wine in the classic Rioja style, hailing from one of the region's most historic estates. It originates from the El Bosque vineyard near Haro, by the Ebro River. The vineyard covers approximately 15 hectares with clay-limestone soil, and the vines have an average age of around 40 years.
It is a rich yet elegant wine that retains a sense of freshness, where ripe fruit characteristics intertwine with nuances derived from extended aging. The aroma reveals notes of ripe and dried cherries, red berries, plums, dried herbs, tobacco, leather, and spices. With time in the glass, earthy and balsamic tones emerge.
The wine is round and smooth, yet lively. Bright acidity provides freshness, while mature tannins offer structure. The finish is long, featuring notes of red fruit, spice, and maturity. It is a quintessential example of traditional Rioja, where the fruit is not overshadowed by the long aging process.
One of the wine's most interesting features is its five-year maturation in American oak barrels. During this time, the wine is racked by hand approximately ten times, traditionally fined with fresh egg whites, and bottled unfiltered. The producer also notes that the Reserva rests in the bottle for at least another year after barrel aging before its release.
Bosconia also has an interesting historical detail: the origins of this line are linked to the fascination the founder of López de Heredia had with Burgundy wines. At one time, he even produced a "Rioja Cepa Borgoña" with a higher proportion of Pinot Noir. Today, Bosconia is made from traditional Rioja grape varieties, yet even the shape of the bottle is reminiscent of Burgundy.
Recommended serving temperature: 18–20°C. Food pairing: lamb, game, beef, slow-cooked meat, legume dishes, and aged cheeses.
The 2015 Viña Bosconia Reserva shows a darker color and a riper profile. It was a warm year, and the grapes were picked quite ripe. They struggled a little with the fermentations, and they had different lots and had to play with the blending and the percentages of other vintages that were allowed to be blended in the wine so it would be a more balanced wine with 13.5% alcohol, a pH of 3.3 and 6.7 grams of acidity. It was produced with a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacho and the remaining 5% Graciano and Mazuelo, fermented in old oak vats with their yeasts and matured in those vats and in neutral American oak barrels over seven years. It also has some more rustic tannins, without the silky texture of some of its siblings. 85,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2023
López de Heredia – one of the oldest and most prestigious wineries in Spain, founded in 1880 by Don Rafael López de Heredia. For more than 140 years, this family estate has become a true symbol of Rioja, renowned for its unwavering commitment to traditional winemaking. Unlike many others, the estate has always worked exclusively with its own vineyards, ensuring full quality control and authentic terroir expression.
Wine Style
López de Heredia wines are celebrated for their depth, complexity, and remarkable longevity.
These wines stand as proof that a truly traditional style can remain timeless and relevant today.
Authentic Winemaking Methods
The estate follows methods established in the 19th century. Fermentation takes place in 72 large oak vats, some of which have been in use since the winery’s founding. Wines are then aged for extended periods in handmade American oak barrels, providing finesse, depth, and distinctive structure. All barrels are crafted in the winery’s own cooperage, preserving independence and authenticity.
Prestigious Vineyards
López de Heredia owns 170 hectares of vineyards in Rioja Alta. Among them, the renowned Viña Tondonia (founded in 1913) is considered one of the most iconic sites in all of Rioja. Other notable vineyards include Viña Bosconia, Viña Cubillo, and Viña Gravonia, each contributing unique character and enhancing the winery’s reputation for excellence.
Aging and Drinking Window
One of the hallmarks of López de Heredia is its extraordinary aging process. Wines are kept in oak barrels far longer than usual – often 6 to 10 years – and once bottled, they may continue to mature in the cellars for several more decades. While approachable in their youth, these wines reveal their true greatness with age – a timeless expression of Rioja that never goes out of style.
