Lopez de Haro Reserva

From Spain's innovative Vintae project, this is a blend of tempranillo and graciano from terraced soils in the area of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, La Rioja. The nice thing about Rioja Reserva is the aging is all done for you. This has seen twenty months in French and American oak, prior to a couple of years in bottle prior to release. Crushed plum, cassis, leather, pipe tobacco roll along the smoothed palate, with oxidative edging creeping in on the dusky finish. Drinking well now, especially with mushroom or Bolognese ragu. Score - 88. (Treve Ring, gismondionwine.com, May 1, 2020)