Lopez de Heredia Viña Bosconia 2003 (Rioja, Spain)

 Lopez de Heredia, the venerable old Rioja produer, is, to most people, the foremost example of traditional Rioja.  And, they're one of my absolute favorite producers. 

Founded in 1877, and still in the hands of the same family, this is as special as traditional Rioja gets.  

The Viña Bosconia 2003 isn't the current vintage anymore, as the 2004 has been released, but it isn't too far off current vintage. That's how long LdH ages their wines. 

This has aged about 5 years in old oak barrels and another 4 years in bottle before release. That's about 9 years in the deep, dark, damp cellars of LdH. And keep in mind that this is only the reserva!   The current releases of their gran reservas (Tondonia and Bosconia) are still in the mid 1990s!  

There's some disagreement about the difference between LdH's Bosconia and Tondonia. To me, the difference is that Bosconia is more fruit-forward, rounder and more Burgundian in a sense. 

Hence the Burgundy bottle that holds it. The wine is 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha and 5% Graciano and Mazuelo.  Rich and fruity with cranberry, cherry and spicy notes. 

There are plenty of secondary notes of tobacco, cedar, and fennel. Still plenty of the hallmark LdH acidity and "rancio" flavors that make it what it is.  

More forward and precocious than its sibbling Tondonia, this is drinking beautifully now (if you want some more of the fruit notes)  but can hold for many more years (if you want some more of the secondaries).  I love this with any type of pork dish. 

Wine: Serious and Unserious Stuff

 I'm guessing my view on wine is of little interest. But some introductions are necessary, so here it is. I see wine in two ways.  

First, I see wine as a very serious thing! It has been the economic and social lifeblood of so many hard-working families for countless generations.  

It is as embedded in the culture of much of Europe and it is something I've devoted countless hours and attention to. I can hardly express my respect and admiration for the work it takes from grape to glass. 

Second, I see wine as a very unserious thing! There's enough seriousness in our lives and wine is an escape from all that! It shouldn't be a source of stress and shouldn't be stripped of its unserious pleasure by snobbish customs, rules and language that make sweaty-palmed newbies afraid to open their mouths around wine geeks. 

To me, these are consistent statements.  My wine point of view is the source of my passion for wine and my enjoyment of it.  I drink great wines and simple wines and enjoy the hell out of both.  
Both remind me of the seriousness and unseriousness of wine and help me maintain perspective on wine.  My wine life wouldn't be nearly as fun if I saw wine as all one way or all the other.

It is always my hope that even when I wax serious on wine, I do so with the humility and genuine sincerity of someone who really enjoys talking and drinking all types of wines with all types of people.