2004 Lar de Paula Tempranillo Rioja Old Vines

[wondersofwine]

One site currently has this bottle for $32. I may have paid less on initial purchase.
14.5% alcohol by volume. Produced and bottled by Lar de Paula, Elvillar de Alava, Spain. Imported by Turner Wine Imports, Morrisville, NC.
Opaque dark purple color. Dark plum and dark berries on nose and palate. Layered (woolly?) texture in the mouth. Long finish. Could overpower lighter meats. The first night I didn't like it as well as the Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva. A bit disappointing. However, I thought it gained a little by the second day and it did go nicely with hard cheese. I didn't have Manchego or another Spanish cheese so had it with bites of Asiago. It revealed a slight pepper note the second evening. I would rate it mid-80's or in the B or B- range.