Hacienda Lopez de Haro Reserva

Hacienda Lopez de Haro Reserva is a Rioja Alta red wine blending Tempranillo and Graciano, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from old, low-yielding vines in San Vicente de la Sonsierra and bottled unfiltered, this Reserva has earned a 92-point rating from The Wine Advocate and a Silver Medal at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.5%  |  Origin: Rioja Alta, Spain  |  Reserva  |  Bodega Hacienda López de Haro

Production & Heritage

The grapes for this Reserva come from old vineyards cultivated using the traditional goblet (bush vine) training system on very poor soils in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, one of Rioja Alta's most respected communes. Low yields concentrate flavor in each bunch. The wine spends 20 months maturing in a combination of French and American oak barrels before a minimum of two years of additional aging in bottle. Notably, it is bottled unfiltered, preserving the full texture and aromatic complexity developed during barrel aging—a step that distinguishes it from many conventionally filtered Rioja Reservas.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe plum and black cherry before layering in balsamic spice, cigar box, and graphite. A gentle thread of vanilla and dark chocolate arrives from the oak influence, adding depth without overwhelming the fruit.

Taste: Medium-bodied on entry, the palate moves through fresh red berries and plum at the core. Mid-palate, the wine reveals its unctuous, round character, supported by ripe, sweet tannins that frame the fruit without astringency. A subtle dried orange peel note adds brightness toward the peak.

Finish: The finish carries moderate length with silky tannins and a lingering interplay of spice and dark fruit. A faint echo of vanilla and balsamic warmth trails off cleanly.

How to Drink Lopez de Haro Reserva

This Reserva is best served at 16–18°C (61–64°F) and benefits from 20–30 minutes of breathing in the glass or a decanter to let its unfiltered complexity open up. Neat sipping is the primary recommendation, allowing the layered oak and fruit character to unfold gradually. For food-driven pairings at the table, consider it alongside a Rioja-braised lamb shank, where the wine's spice mirrors the dish; a charcuterie and aged Manchego board, where its tannin structure cuts through fat; or a mushroom risotto, where its earthy undertones find a natural companion.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners that call for a serious but approachable red
• Gifting a Rioja enthusiast exploring the Reserva category
• Building a cellar with age-worthy Spanish wines at an accessible entry point
• Pairing with roasted meats and hearty autumn or winter meals

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lopez de Haro Reserva taste like? It delivers ripe plum and red berry fruit at its core, framed by vanilla, balsamic spice, and dark chocolate from 20 months in French and American oak. The tannins are sweet and silky, giving the wine a round, medium-bodied feel.

How does Lopez de Haro Reserva compare to Muga Reserva? Both are Tempranillo-dominant Rioja Reservas aged in a mix of French and American oak, but Lopez de Haro is bottled unfiltered, which tends to give it a fuller, more textured mouthfeel. Muga Reserva generally includes a broader blend of secondary grapes and often presents a slightly more polished, classic oak profile.

Is Lopez de Haro Reserva good for sipping neat? Yes—its balanced tannins, moderate body, and layered aromatics make it very well-suited to drinking on its own. A brief decant will help it open up, especially in younger vintages.

Where is Lopez de Haro Reserva made? It is produced in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a historic winemaking town within the Rioja Alta sub-region of Rioja, Spain. The vineyards sit on poor soils at elevation, conditions that naturally restrict yields and concentrate fruit quality.

What foods pair well with Lopez de Haro Reserva? Slow-roasted lamb shoulder complements its balsamic and spice notes. Aged Manchego or Idiazábal cheese echoes its savory depth. Grilled chorizo and piquillo peppers play off the wine's fruit-forward core. Beef stew with root vegetables matches its medium body and earthy undertones. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the cocoa notes from oak aging.

What sizes does Lopez de Haro Reserva come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available size for this Reserva expression.

Is Lopez de Haro Reserva worth the price? It positions as a strong value entry within the Rioja Reserva category, delivering old-vine fruit, extended oak aging, unfiltered bottling, and consistent critical scores of 87–92 points at a price point well below many of its Rioja Alta peers.

Why Lopez de Haro Reserva?

What sets this wine apart in a crowded Reserva field is the decision to bottle unfiltered, preserving layers of texture and aroma that filtration strips away. The fruit comes from old goblet-trained vines on nutrient-poor soils—conditions that force the plant to struggle, producing fewer but more concentrated clusters. Twenty months in a combination of French and American oak followed by at least two years in bottle means this wine arrives ready to drink but with genuine aging potential. With a 92-point nod from The Wine Advocate and consistent recognition at international competitions, it has proven across multiple vintages that it punches above its weight class in Rioja Alta.