Hacienda Lopez de Haro

One of the first Rioja’s that caught my attention WAY back in the day was Hacienda Lopez De Haro. Now keep in mind this was when I was a relative newbie to wine, venturing outside of my France and USA comfort zone. I had a wow moment and remember the meal that accompanied the wine, who I was with and what restaurant we were at. That’s the impact that it had on me. I still enjoy it as much as I did then…. However my tastes have evolved. I’m not saying its not good, I just remembered it being larger than life. Today it was “cool, this is tasty” it’s a very approachable wine for someone who has never experienced a Rioja.

Hacienda Lopez De Haro

Rioja DOCa, Spain

Reserva 2013

13.5%

Blend: Tempranillo and Graciano

Hacienda Lopez de Haro is located in the heart of Rioja Alta. The old vines are goblet trained with low yields along the Ebro’s. The Wien is aged for 10 months in a mix of new and old French oak. Rioja wines are a remarkable value that improve with age. A traditional Rioja is generally leathery, savory, red fruited and retrained, while a new-style Rioja is generally sweetly dark fruited, baking spiced, plush and bold.  This particular wine was aged for 20 months in both French and American oak.

Pours into the glass a medium deep ruby color with a garnet tinge at the rim

Swirl and ripe dark fruits are accompanies spice and vanilla.

Sip and the ripe, sweet black cherry, black plum, blackberry jam hits you first, followed by sweet tobacco, pencil shavings, dark chocolate, vanilla, truffles, and licorice. The tannins are soft and ripe, it has just the right amount of acidity and length. All of the bases are covered and are in harmony - it’s round, pleasing and lingering in flavor.

This is a great QPR for under $20. It has maturity, it’s fine, gentle and layered.

I paired with with a big Porterhouse steak with one of my “secret steak spice blends” but a hearty Ragu or tuna empanadas would also be lovely.