Classica Hacienda López de Haro is a collection of 'grandes reservas', distinctive wines that undergo extended ageing and made only in finest vintages. The presentation of the wines is also distinctive, with each of the Blanco, Rosado and Tinto labels featuring a different historical figure, representing some of the key contributors behind Rioja’s rise as a world-renowned wine region.
Grapes come from vineyards in two areas: the Sonsierra, a strip of vineyards on the northern bank of the Ebro River in the foothills of the Sierra de Cantabria and the Najerilla valley, on the southern bank of the river.
Noel tasted these wines on a trip to Rioja in late June and was very, very impressed. They are amazing wines that somehow manage to taste really fresh yet with layers of complexities that only comes from long ageing. They are truly extraordinary wines and if you love Rioja, we urge you to try them.
Sadly, we only have a very limited amount arriving at the end of November. At this stage We are offering the wines only in mixed cases of three or six, containing either one or two bottles of the Gran Reserva Tinto 2005, Gran Reserva Rosado 2012 and Gran Reserva Blanco 2013. If we do have any extra stock after the intial offer, we may be able to sell the individual wines by the bottle.
Tasting Notes
CLÁSSICA HACIENDA LÓPEZ DE HARO GRAN RESERVA TINTO 2005
A blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha. The Tempranillo vines have an average age of 70 years and grown on clay-limestone terraces at the foot of the Sierra de Toloño in the Sonsierra region. The Garnacha comes from 90-year-old vineyards planted on clay-ferrous terraces in the Cárdenas area, in Alto Najerilla. The wine was aged for three and a half years in French oak barrels half new and half used before extended bottle ageing. The historical figure on the bottle label represents the engine driver, with his cap and work overalls blackened by carbon soot, a key figure in the transportation of both grapes and wine across the Rioja region and beyond.
Cherry red in colour with some russet on the rim as expected with a wine of this age. Dark fruit and orange peel on the nose with hints of licorice and spice. Long ageing has added to the complexity with additional tertiary notes of balsamic, nuts and tobacco. On the palate, the smooth tannins are balanced by refreshing acidity. The wine is very long and complex on the finish. "Lustrous dark crimson. Complex and utterly echt, with a long life ahead of it. Really serious wine." 17.5 Jancisrobinson.com
CLASSICA HACIENDA LÓPEZ DE HARO GRAN RESERVA ROSADO 2012
A blend of Garnacha and Viura from Goblet-trained vines located on the high-altitude ferrous clay terraces of the Alto Najerilla The grzapes are macerated for between 24 and 48 hours at low temperatures before fermentation in stainless steel tanks over about 20 days. The wine is aged for four years in Bordeaux barrels, mostly first-use with some second-use barrels, before further bottle ageing in the bottle. The historical figure on the bottle label is the winemaker Ramona Norberta de Albiz y Ruiz del Castillo, a pioneer in Bordeaux-style winemaking in Labastida at the beginning of the 19th century.
Salmon pink colour with coppery notes. Floral on the nose with fruity tones of grapefruit and orange peel together with some balsamic and menthol notes that add freshness. The oak brings additional hints of vanilla and hay. There are some added stone fruits on the palate and a little bit of a saline touch beforew an impressively long finish.
CLASSICA HACIENDA LÓPEZ DE HARO GRAN RESERVA BLANCO 2013
A blend of Viura, Malvasía and Garnacha Blanca from vines with an average age of 65 years located on the limestone soils of the Sonsierra and ferrous clay terraces of the Alto Najerilla. The three varieties are co-fermentated with natural yeasts before ageng for three years in Bordeaux barrels (one third new) and a further three years in the bottle. The label depicts a French soldier who (so the rumour goes) was devoured by yeast after being thrown into a lake of wine to prevent his body from being discovered by the occupying forces and giving rise to the expression “vino con francés”.
A golden yellow colour. The nose is complex, fresh citrus aromas combine with chamomile and dried flower fragrances and some, dried fruit, with smoky and forest floor notes. Although the wine feels full-bodied there is good acidity to balance and keep it feeling fresh. There is a toasted character to the long finish adding complexity.
