Tasting notes during visit to the winery where absolutely everything is done in-house by hand; preserving centuries old winemaking traditions. Bosconia is a delicate wine highlighted by persistent tones of red berries and bright acidity with integrated tannins closing with medium but lingering finish.
No stainless steel here. The juice is fermented in old large wooden “tinas,” then transferred to American oak barrels (made in house to lighter toast specifications), underground in their +100 year old cellars for at least a year. After that it is bottled and stored in the same underground cellars and finally released about ten years later. Learning about their curated winemaking process was inspiring. — 20 days ago
Perhaps, this is one of the most approachable vintages (2016) for this wine. A very clean, an uplifting red, it also has an enticing ruby color transitioning to maroon. Amps up on the nose with a solid complexity and elegancy. Since this is Grand Reserva, it spends a minimum of 24 months on American and French oak. I can be fruity and with some spicy notes. On the palate, it’s elegant, hints of vanilla and sweet toasted. Elongated and silky finish. Already cruising its peak time. Drink now! — 11 days ago
90% Tempranillo; 10% Graciano. Red fruited perfume, earthy with medium plus intensity. Palate at 21 years is developed, balanced and soft with fully integrated tannins. Medium weight with declining strength to its inner core. Not near as good on the 2nd night. This aged overnight and finishes a little sour. I was going to give it 94 points but will now give 90 points. — 3 days ago
No one chooses to have these kinds of bottles, the bottles themselves choose you. From the first whiff, you can smell the age; dried cherries, weathered leather, a trace of cigar box, and a hint of vanilla that lingers like memories of wilder days. On the palate, the wine unfolds slowly, each layer revealing the finesse of a life lived with grit and grace. The tannins, softened with age yet carrying a hint of defiance. — 20 days ago
Tasting notes during visit to the winery where absolutely everything is done in-house by hand; preserving centuries old winemaking traditions. In the Tondonia offering one can really appreciate the time and patience dedicated to crafting this wine. The wine evolves to a rustic yet graceful profile with strong notes of dark berries with slight oak and dark chocolate. On the palate the wine is bliss, medium bodied, fully integrated, with balanced acidity and a long finish.
The juice is fermented in old large wooden “tinas,” then transferred to American oak barrels (made in house to medium toast specifications), stored underground in their +100 year old cellars for at least a year. After that it is bottled and stored in the same underground cellars and finally released about ten years later. Learning about their curated winemaking process was inspiring. — 20 days ago
A unique wine. Vibrant golden hue, reductive aroma combined with a variety of ripe orchard fruits, saline breeze, pineapple, wet stone. Palate with high acidity, a lingering tannic grip, stony minerality, apple, pear, fresh almonds. I drink the current vintage (which happens to be 2012 this year) with my wife once per year, and have for the last 5 years. Nostalgic. — 4 days ago
Dark/muddy ruby color with an orange rim. Aromas of black, red and blue fruit with hints of earth and smoke. Blackberry, blueberry and dark plum on the palate with additional notes of coffee, dark chocolate, dusty earth and tobacco. Long and lingering mineral laden finish. Well integrated, balanced and elegant. Appropriately aged. Solid. Best of the Campo Viejo Rioja offerings. Thanks Chris B! — 14 days ago
John Bratincevic
As the wine guy said — dried fig and dusty tannins. Good stuff, good value. 90.
EDIT: Zounds, James Suckling was right on this one — or at least his ”associate editor” was! — a month ago