Bodega Classica Rioja Hacienda López de Haro Gran Reserva Blanco

No complexity, no acidity, no structure, no fun. I'm familiarized with the style but this lacks everything.

Joe and Ian's Rioja Tasting (1251, London) : Medium golden colour, it just looks old. Reasonable acidity and freshness given that, hardly any sherry notes coming through. There is some sweetness with toffee/caramel notes, some nuts, straw, and wet wool. One of the team suggested bruised peaches. Over time the initial freshness declined and a more oily character emerged with saffron and some herbs. Not something I'd usually drink and pretty nice in its own distinctive way. I think it …

Joe and Ian's Rioja Dinner (1251, Upper Street) : Lovely colour. Bruised peaches. Some fresh stoney fruits. Quite coconutty. Palate is neither here nor there for me – slightly oddly in between the modern and traditional styles – just (arguably!) a bit shapeless? Good core of acidity nevertheless and still very pleasant

After the Rosado gave a good account of itself versus the Heredia equivalent recently, this Blanco felt worth a punt - and there are lots of similarities. It’s a bold style- oxidative, nutty, honeyed - but it’s still quite focused, more polite and modern than the full throttle Heredia wines. Different sides of the same coin. It opens with a creaky old wood and a vibrant oxidative sherried note, toasted almond, citrus peel, baked vanilla and dried apricot. Quite precise …

An odd mix of peach core, vanilla, sherry and oily smoky bowmore whisky. I'm hard pressed to find a food dish I'd pair with this wine... to me, it would work as a rare replacement of an after dinner whisky. It is a serious wine that demands reflection. My wife found that it has a repulsive "ask tray" character. I found it well made but I'll wait many years before pulling the next bottles from the cellar to share with …