Time is the best ally of great wines, and Classica Gran Reserva 2005 is the proof. This Gran Reserva from Hacienda López de Haro is designed as a tribute to the great classic reds of Rioja and is crafted only in exceptional vintages. An age-worthy wine that reveals its full potential, with a fascinating aromatic complexity and a silky, deep palate full of nuances. To be enjoyed without haste.

General features

Type of wine

Red Gran Reserva

Region

Rioja

Grape variety

Garnacha tinta, Tempranillo

Type of barrel

Barrels of French oak, Bordeaux style, 50% new and used.

Type of bottle

Bordeaux Bottle

Barrel aging time

3 and a half years

Capacity (cl)

3.63

Alcohol content (% vol.)

14.34

General Information

Classica Gran Reserva 2005 is born from old bush vines with an average age of 70 years, located in the Sonsierra region and Alto Najerilla. The Tempranillo vines grow on clay-limestone terraces at the foot of the Sierra de Toloño, while the Garnacha comes from 90-year-old vineyards in Cárdenas, on clay-ferrous soils. Both areas, with high altitude and a cool climate, provide structure, freshness, and longevity to the wine. A traditional and environmentally respectful viticulture ensures the maximum expression of the terroir.

Its production began with the harvest of the grapes in late September and early October. Each variety and plot was vinified separately with native yeasts and spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The aging process lasted for three and a half years in Bordeaux barrels made of French oak, half new and half used, with light toasting. After blending, the wine rested in the bottle for years, refining its character until reaching its optimal point.

Hacienda López de Haro, part of the innovative group Vintae, has managed to reinterpret Rioja classicism with a modern perspective. From their winery in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, they produce wines that combine tradition, elegance, and authenticity. The Classica range is their tribute to the great reservas of Rioja, and this 2005 is one of its finest examples: a wine that embodies history, patience, and excellence.

Classica Gran Reserva 2005 is the perfect red wine to pair with red meats, game, traditional stews, aged cheeses, or simply to enjoy on its own, in a moment of calm and reflection.

Creators' opinion

Visual: With great color intensity, it maintains a high layer despite its prolonged aging phase. It displays shades of intense cherry red, though shifting towards more brick-like tones at the rim due to its evolution over time. Nose: It stands out for its great intensity and complexity, without being dominated by the oxidative character that can be associated with such a long-lived wine. Spicy notes and licorice are particularly prominent, accompanied by black fruit and orange peel. In the background, balsamic notes are also perceived, giving it great appeal and a touch of freshness, along with notes of foliage, tobacco, and nuts that encapsulate this complexity in a great harmony of aromas. Palate: It has great intensity while also exuding smoothness. With very pleasant tactile sensations that denote warmth, it maintains great energy based on its good acidity. Its start is sweet and enveloping, leading to a long and very pleasant passage through the palate that converges in a finish full of complexity. A wine for reflection, loaded with nuances that invite thought and discovery.

The 2005 vintage was one of the best of the last decades in Rioja, thanks to very favorable weather conditions. The winter was not very rainy, nor was the spring, but rainfall arrived at key moments of the cycle. September gifted us with moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights, which favored balance in the final stage of ripening. At the time of harvest, the health condition of the grapes was exceptional.

The winery

Winery

Bodega Hacienda López de Haro

Winemaker

Grupo Vintae

Located on a hill in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, in the heart of Rioja Alta, Bodega Hacienda López de Haro (formerly Bodega Classica) rises above a true sea of vineyards nourished by the Ebro River. The Riojan Sonsierra is an area situated on the southern side of the Sierra de Cantabria and Toloño, which protect it from the cold and humid winds of the Cantabrian Sea. Its weather conditions, with more rainfall in winter than during the rest of the year and winds channeled through the Ebro Valley, make it an optimal area for vine cultivation. Its rugged terrain, with clay-limestone soils that are highly drained, is perfect for the tempranillo variety.

At Bodega Hacienda López de Haro (D.O.Ca. Rioja), the goal is to respect traditional winemaking methods, so the fermentation tanks (ranging from 15,000 to 35,000 liters) have very wide openings to mimic the traditional winemaking in open vats. This allows for easier punch-downs to better work the cap. The winery has a stock of nearly 5,000 barrels, three-quarters of which are French oak and one-quarter American oak. French oak aligns with the style of wines produced at Bodega Hacienda López de Haro, as it better preserves the fruit and the distinctive character of the varieties most used in the López de Haro collection: tempranillo, garnacha, and graciano. The winery manages 95 hectares of its own vineyards and controls an additional 450 hectares.

The latest recognition for the wines from this winery comes from Master of Wine Elizabeth Gabay, the world's leading British expert on rosé wines, who selected Classica Gran Reserva 2012 as the Best Rosé in the World in her report The Rosé Report 2023.