In the early 2000s I admired tasting the wines of Beronia — particularly their Gran Reserva wines that came from the mid to late 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 been at the winery for nearly 40 years. He has left a massive imprint on all of Rioja and I love his new range wines which all show really good value.
I love the new 2017 Bodega Beronia ‘Crianza’ Rioja (OB, 90) which is an amazing value wine to buy by the case. For a decadent treat, look to the 2013 Bodega Beronia ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja (OB, 93) which is deep and concentrated with beautiful finesse and a great range of red and dark fruit flavors. Learn more about this special estate at http://www.beronia.com Here are the great new wines by Bodega Beronia.
2019 Bodega Beronia ‘Tempranillo’ Rioja- The 2019 Bodega Beronia ‘Tempranillo’ Rioja delivers straightforward cranberry, red cherry and tobacco leaf flavors. A bit on the lighter side, enjoy over the next few years. Drink 2022-2025- 88
2017 Bodega Beronia ‘Crianza’ Rioja- Very soft on the mouth, the really good 2017 Bodega Beronia ‘Crianza’ Rioja offers ripe red plum, cigar ash and red currant flavors with citrus rind accents on the palate. Lighter to medium-bodied, this shows great finesse and will be best enjoyed over the next five years. Drink 2022-2027- 90
2017 Bodega Beronia ‘Reserva’ Rioja- Serioiusly good, the 2017 Bodega Beronia ‘Reserva’ Rioja is an outstanding effort that has only begun to hit its stride. The palate shows very bright acidity with good length and texture. Rich red and dark fruits march on with pipe tobacco, worn leather and cinnamon and cloves. Gorgeous now, enjoy this beauty over the next decade. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2013 Bodega Beronia ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja- Stored in French oak barrels for more than five years, the 2013 Bodega Beronia ‘Gran Reserva’ Rioja opens with black cherry compote, roasted figs and menthol tones on the palate. Showing seriously good viscosity and tension, with more air layers of black currants and Asian spices emerge, as this finishes exceedingly long. Enjoy this gorgeous effort over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 93