Greetings from Barcelona! Today we bring you one of the great wineries in the La Rioja region, Bodega Beronia. Having visited this historic winery a few years back, I have been enchanted with the Beronia wines for more than a decade, having enjoyed some great Beronia Gran Reserva wines in particular from the 1990s. Bodega Beronia has always been relatively easy to find in the United States and the continue that trend today as many of these wines can be found in Pacific Northwest wine shops and grocery stores. Bodega Beronia is surrounded by 25 hectares of estate vineyards and their team control a massive 870 hectares of vineyards situated within a 10km radius of the winery in the Rioja Alta region of La Rioja. The average age of these vineyards is 30 years and more than 50 hectares of their plantings exceed 60 years of age.
Beronia winemaker Matias Calleja, has crafted some seriously good new wines. He has crafted an absolute home run with his 2015 Bodega Beronia ‘Crianza’ Rioja (WWB, 90) which is an amazing value wine to buy by the case. For a decadent treat, look to the 2009 Bodega Beronia ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja (WWB, 93) which has wonderful mouth-watering acidity and shows beautiful red and dark fruits. Learn more about this special estate at http://www.beronia.com Here are the great new wines by Bodega Beronia.
2017 Bodega Beronia Rose- There is a wonderfully pure nose with rose petals and red fruits that line the glass. The wine shows a silky mouthfeel with delicate red fruits that connect with rose water and cranberry flavors. Drink 2018-2022- 88
2016 Bodega Beronia Rueda Verdeho- This 100% Verdeho wine starts off with kiwi and pink grapefruit on the nose. The palate shows a good combination of weight and minerality with kiwi, starfruit and green melon flavors shining the most brightly. This is an exceptional value. Drink 2018-2022- 89
2015 Bodega Beronia ‘Crianza’ Rioja- This shows prune, dark cherry and nice roasted figs on the nose with some toasty oak. The palate takes on good weight and minerals with red fruits and dark fruits mingling next to a touch of chocolate. This is a spectacular, weighty ‘Crianza’ that will cellar well over the next decade. Drink 2018-2026- 90
2014 Bodega Beronia ‘Crianza’ Rioja- Prune and red cherry largely mark the nose with some toasty oak. The palate combines citrus tones with lighter red fruits. Forward, this wine needs food. Drink 2018-2022- 88
2013 Bodega Beronia ‘Reserva’ Rioja- With just a touch of Graciano and Manzuelo blended in the 2013 Bodega Beronia ‘Reserva’ begins with a bouquet of dill, red cherry and red currant with toasty oak elements prominent. The palate shows good acidity and balance. While not possessing great weight, the elegance of this red and black fruit driven wine is quite impressive considering the challenges of the vintage. Drink 2018-2024- 90
2009 Bodega Beronia ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja- The 2009 Bodega Beronia ‘Gran Reserva’ is a harmonious wine that is restrained considering the warmth of the vintage. That said, it is a glorious wine, somewhat different than other ’09 Gran Reservas that I have sampled. Right away the whiff of oak and red fruits captivates you. Lighter damp earth and citrus tones come into the glass after some time. The wine reveals a really tasty combination of red and dark fruits that build in the glass after an hour decant. Wonderfully poised, this has the weight and tension to cellar well for two decades. Drink 2018-2035- 93