R. Lopez de Heredia, Bosconia 5 Ano, Rioja

Still intriguing, despite color of a blood stained bandaid, parchment. Well sealed, and stored. Decanted and drunk over 3 hours. At first tight, lean, thin and acidic , but Air gives life here, and it opened nicely after 30 minutes and improved for another 30, but dropped off a bit in last hour. Drink up. Black licorice pastilles , tiny wild strawberries, oaky fireplace, sweet roast red pepper, elegant and enticing. Held up nicely to a light and not spicy …

12% alcohol. Dark and quite developed brick-orange color with an aged mahogany hue. Very developed and tertiary nose with aromas of blackcurrant jam, some sweet raisiny fruits, a little bit of wilted flowers and a hint of beef jerky. The wine is medium-bodied, tertiary and quite intense on the palate with old flavors of raisins, some dried figs, a little bit of sour cherry bitterness and a rusty hint of iron. The overall feel is getting quite flat and dull …

In good shape, drank it blindly in the same flight as vintage 1991. First I Thought about burgundy, but the second one showed some mints and eucalyptus. But for Californian wines I missed the power and fruit. And in the nose some Vanilla from American oak that did not fit for Burgundy, so I guessed Rioja. Very nice sweetness, round and silky Tannins. Some minimal Sherry notes in the nose but not in the palate. First I preferred 1981 but …

bottle, fill and cork all excellent. This wine was fresh and appealing soon after decanting, but held up well over several hours. Fairly typical Rioja profile with leather, cigar and autumn leaves. High acidity and definitely needs a big steak. Good wine and should keep.

Birthday Dinner (2) 2014 (Jade Palace, Forum Galleria, Singapore) : A lovely wine, drinking quite at peak. This had a classic Rioja nose, with cigarette smoke and tobacco aromas (somewhat reminiscent of Marlboro menthol lights) around a core of sweet cherry notes, then little drifts of dried herb and dried flowers and fragrant spice all playing against a backdrop of loamy earth – an absolutely beautiful bouquet. The palate had a stunningly youthful brilliance to it, with wonderfully bright, juicy …

Delicious, mid body but with a lurking depth and complexity that sneaks up on you. Red fruit profile. Finely balanced and pure. a delight with food. Love both but slightly prefer the nimbleness of the Tondonia relative to the Bosconia.

I've had (and loved) the 81 Tondonia GR, but wondered how the regular Reserva would have held out. Very well, as a matter of fact. Seems light and acidic on pouring, but quickly puts on body. Beautiful sweet red raspberry and strawberry fruit, lots of citrus zest, pretty and long. Wine is deceptive - seems lighter styled, yet when you pay attention it is concentrated and full. My Wine of Easter. A-

Unique acidic burn and light in nature....but seriously lacking any power or panache on the finish

Very fragrant, complex, a lovely synthesis of fruit and wood, civilised, stylish, elegant, smooth and subtle, spicy, red fruit, vanilla, long, complete and harmonious, needs a lot of oxygen at this young stage. First bottle from a small cache of individual bottles purchased at Bodega Victor Bernad e Hijos in Antwerp. Victor Bernad died in 2006 at the age of 67 and the shop is no more, but his "El Valenciano" in the Zirkstraat 34 introduced me to authentic Spanish …