B-21 Top Recommendation
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Rioja fans need no introduction to Lopez de Heredia, one of the region's most traditional and esteemed Bodegas with over a century of expertise as grower-producers, their dedication to lengthy aging yielding long-lived Rioja that's the stuff of legends. Released only after spending a decade in their famously moldy and cobweb-laced cellars, the incredibly lively and fresh 95 pt. 2011 Lopez de Heredia Reserva Bosconia reveals energetic spiced fruit with tantalizing acidity and smooth, mouth coating tannins from a vintage rated "Excellent" by the Rioja Control Board, already beautifully evolved and ready to enjoy over the next decade or more at a bargain price that "seems like a steal" according to Wine and Spirits.
Located in the town of Haro in the heart of La Rioja Alta, Lopez de Heredia is Rioja's only remaining family-run Bodega, adhering to the winemaking doctrine of its founder Don Rafael in the 1880's by utilizing only its own fruit, fermenting with natural yeasts and aging for extended periods in wood before bottling without filtration. Sourced exclusively from estate fruit grown in the foothills of the towering Sierra de Cantabria, Lopez de Heredia produced the 2011 Reserva Bosconia from the 12-hectare El Bosque vineyard near the Ebro River, situated at 465 meters of altitude and enjoying a south-facing aspect that encourages even ripening. A blend of mostly Tempranillo with Garnacha and small amounts of Graciano and Mazuelo, the sustainably farmed vines for the 2011 Reserva Bosconia are planted in clay and limestone soils and average over 40 years of age with some old vine plantings reaching 100 years, delivering naturally low yields that contribute to the wine's deep complexity. After co-fermenting the grapes in the estate's large 144-year-old oak vats, the deeply layered 2011 Reserva Bosconia was then aged for five years in well-seasoned oak barrels crafted in its onsite cooperage from hand-selected American oak timbers, then bottled unfiltered and cellared for another five years, yielding rich, plump fruit and polished dusty tannins that will continue to evolve.
Enjoying a cult like following among collectors of traditional, long-lived Riojas, Neal Martin of the Wine Advocate sums up the multi-faceted 95 pt. 2011 Lopez de Heredia Reserva Bosconia well, declaring "a bottle of Lopez de Heredia is an individual and each time you meet, you may see a different side to its personality" – now an easy call for Rioja lovers and fans of bold Spanish reds to stock up on this bargain priced beauty and enjoy "meeting" it over and over again. | 
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