Hacienda López de Haro San Vicente de la Sonsierra 2023

Hacienda López de Haro draw this wine from vineyards on the slopes of the Sierra de Cantabria around San Vicente de la Sonsierra, in the heart of Rioja Alta. The dominant Tempranillo is rounded out by Mazuelo, the local name for Carignan, which adds colour, acidity and tannin. The hillside sites combine clay and limestone soils with a climate where Atlantic and Mediterranean influences meet, giving ripe fruit with the freshness and structure that mark classic Rioja. The wine ages fourteen months in oak barrels, where slow oxygen exchange through the wood softens the tannins and adds the savoury, spiced character of the region without masking the fruit. The wine is a deep ruby. The nose carries blackberry and blueberry with plum, balsamic herbs, black pepper and a clear mineral note. The palate is medium to full bodied, with ripe but firm tannins, fresh acidity and a long savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanting briefly if young. It suits roast lamb, red meats and Spanish cured dishes.