The 2005 Marques de Haro is composed of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano aged in 60% French and 40% American oak. Dark ruby/purple, it is more primary and fruit forward than the traditionally styled wines. The nose offers smoky oak, vanilla, spice box, pencil lead, black cherry, and blackberry aromas leading to a mouth-filling, structured wine in need of 5-7 years in the cellar. It has very good grip and length and should drink well through 2025. La Rioja Alta continues to be one of the benchmarks for traditionally produced Rioja. What the wines may lack in power, they make up for in finesse and complexity. The winery has just released its first “modern-styled” Rioja, called Marques de Haro, and it is a success.Importer: Christopher Cannan, Europvin; www.riojalta.com