Founded in 1877 by Don Rafael López de Heredia y Landeta, Snr López established the legendary Tondonia vineyards on the alluvial slopes overlooking the River Ebro on the cusp of the Alta and Alavesa wine sub-regions. A visionary and a romantic, his aspirations were impressive – not just for his wines but architecturally as well. His family continue his legacy and spirit led by sisters Maria Jose & Mercedes and this is without question one of the great wineries not only of Spain but of the world. The Lopez de Heredia portfolio extends over four autonomous vineyard areas, of which Tondonia is both the largest and the most famous. The other three are Cubillo, Bosconia and Gravonia; each with distinctive terroir and aspect and differing grape composition and styles of wine. The estate has 170 hectares of vineyards with 124 in production. Wines are fermented in old wooden casks, often centenarian, and aged for a long period (as they always have been) including some years in one of the 14,000 + barrels in the labyrinth of cellars (over 6,000 square feet) under the winery that span out towards the banks of the Ebro River. Only American oak is used but as the winery has its own cooperage they purchase whole trees to split and age outside before making into barrels that are repaired and tended over their long lifespan. These neutral barrels impart minimal new oak flavours into their wines – essential when aging profiles much exceed the minimum span required. The most traditional of all wineries, their heritage and stability of process, people and supreme quality are a hallmark of each of their wines.

Bodegas R Lopez de Heredia Vina Bosconia Tinto Gran Reserva 2004
12.5% abv
“The 2004 Viña Bosconia Gran Reserva is very open, expressive and aromatic right away—as soon as it was poured into the glass—while the Tondonia took time to open up. This has a very elegant nose, and despite having less Garnacha than the Tondonia, it has a more Garnacha nose, a little heady with notes of cherries in liqueur and iodine (think Rayas). It has an elegant texture, very fine tannins and pungent flavors, and it’s persistent and powerful while keeping balance and freshness. The Bosconia Vineyard is a cooler vineyard that delivers fresher wines; the grapes were picked quite late, from the 20th of October, later than the ones from the Tondonia vineyard. Only 6,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2019. Some of these vintages have had a much longer élevage, though not necessarily all in barrel, as the wines also spent time in the ancient oak vats.” 2024 – 2040
98 Points, Luis Gutierrez, The Wine Advocate,
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2004 | Bodegas R Lopez de Heredia | Bonded | Carignan/e (Mazuelo) | Europe | Graciano | Grenache (Garnacha/Cannonau) | Red | Rioja | Spain | Still | Tempranillo (Tinto Fino / Tinta Roriz / Tinto de Toro) | WineImportant. This is a bonded product and is priced exclusive of Duty and VAT. Wines must be purchased by the unmixed case. The case size is detailed in the Product Details. After purchase we will contact you to arrange either the wine's continued storage in a bonded warehouse as designated by HM Customs & Excise or for the payment of the pertinent Duty and VAT, where after delivery can be arranged. Transfer & delivery fees will be charged at cost.
- Reference #:
- 22915_B
- Strength
- 12.5 ABV
- Bottles per Case
- 6 bottles
- Grapes
- Carignan/e (Mazuelo), Graciano, Grenache (Garnacha/Cannonau), Tempranillo (Tinto Fino / Tinta Roriz / Tinto de Toro)
- Organic
- No
- Biodynamic
- No
- Vegan
- No
- Vegetarian
- No
- Sparkling
- No
