HACIENDA LOPEZ DE HARO | Rioja | Reserva | 2017
tempranillo | graciano

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Today we are going to review a genuine Rioja blend from northern Spain – Rioja Reserva 2017 by Hacienda Lopez de Haro. Rioja (which is Spain‘s most famous wine region) is known for its fruity-savory and dusty wines that have the ability to age well for many years. Rioja is one of very few european winemaking regions that uses american oak barrels for ageing. The region itself is moderated by the Sierra Cantabria – a small but jagged mountain range that stops clouds from coming into the Rioja valley. The wines of Rioja are based mainly on the tempranillo grape variety, which is the champion grape of the region. The wine we are reviewing today is harmonious blend of tempranillo and graciano, where tempranillo forms the wine’s main body and structure, while graciano adds up-front richness and builds a more refined mid-palate. The grapes for this wine were sourced from the slopes of Sierra Cantabria old vineyards with low productivity, planted on the poor soils of Ebro‘s terraces in the area of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, situated in the La Rioja sub-region. In order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final blend, the final blend has been aged for 20 months in french and american oak barrels, bot new and used. That said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
color: medium-deep garnet color
clarity: hazy garnet shades on the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced & expressive
fruit character: ripe

The opening nose of this wine are immediately inviting, offering a burst of ripe red and black fruits. Think wild cherries, cranberries, blackberries and plums, with a touch of prune adding even more depth. This isn’t a one-dimensional fruit basket though, as there’s a subtle earthiness in the background, like freshly turned clay and loam, that adds a touch of complexity. Woven throughout these primary fruity-dusty notes hints of oak emerge through, with notes of cloves and vanilla bean, suggesting some time spent aging in oak barrels. These oaky undertones add a touch of warmth and sophistication to the wine’s overall aromatic profile.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: medium+ | tannin: medium+ | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: crisp & seedy

The palate follows the nose, delivering a wave of ripe, red and black fruit flavors, complemented by earthy and spicy undertones here as well. On the mouthfeel, the wine’s crisp acidity cuts through the initial richness of the fruit, keeping the wine lively and fresh. The medium+ tannins feel a touch seedy, while a noticeable touch of alcoholic warmth becomes apparent on the mid-palate, which lingers slightly into the aftertaste. Despite the warmth, the aftertaste itself remains crisp and finishes with a slightly astringent sensation from the tannins.

//Verdict
maturity: in its prime | drink now or within the next 2 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

Overall, this wine creates the impression is of a round, ample and rich Rioja, with a focus on that expressive fruit character. The earthy hints offer a subtle nod to the wine’s origin and terroir, and while this wine has almost reached its prime form, the slightly astringent tannins and noticeable alcoholic warmth suggest it may benefit from some additional bottle ageing. All in all, this is a very nice Rioja wine with good varietal typicity of the tempranillo grape variety, yet a wine that lacks the elegance and finesse one might expect from a top-tier Rioja.

//Scoring
HACIENDA LOPEZ DE HARO | Rioja | Reserva | 2017
variety: tempranillo | graciano
country: Spain
region: Rioja
rating: 93.2
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This is definitely a fine wine of Spain and, with a total of 93.2 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Pairing: Due to this wine’s focus on rich red and black fruit flavors with earthy accents, it would be well-suited for flavorful dishes that can stand up to the wine’s bold character but won’t be overwhelmed by its tannins. Roasted duck breast with a cherry demi-glace would be a fantastic pairing option, as the velvety texture of the duck breast would be beautifully complemented by the wine’s round and ample structure, while the sweetness of the cherry sauce would echo the rich fruit notes in the wine. In the same key, the earthy character in the wine would enhance any earthy elements from root vegetables that might be served alongside the duck, creating a harmonious interplay of flavors and textures. This pairing would allow the wine’s fruitiness to shine through, while the richness of the duck and the sweetness of the sauce would balance the acidity and tannins that this Rioja wine provides. Cheers!

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