TN: 2005 Bodega Classico Rioja Hacienda Lopez de Haro Reserva.
Good natural cork, $19 Cdn (wow), serve slightly chilled, decant. Blend of 90% Tempranillo plus Graciano/Garnacha. 20 month oak age, more old-school/traditional Rioja.
Pale purple crimson rim with very slight bricking.Cedary spice nose, smoke, lots going on here. "Leather, not horse" from across the table.
Medium-bodied, still some tannins, lengthy. Herbs, pepper, fair acidity, fine focus here. Cherry, blackberry, think this one could use some time still? Fellow punter on UK forum mentioned "creamy and smooth". Ok, I can go with that!