Bodegas Amaren, Selección de Viñedos, DOCa Rioja, Spain, 2020

Producer Profile

Jon Cañas (Luis Cañas’ grandson) is the imaginative winemaker behind Bodegas Amaren, having been given free rein to explore the character of Alavesa’s vineyards.

Jon aims to create a raw, modern interpretation of Rioja Alavesa by employing native yeasts for his ferments, and experimenting with concrete vessels and lees ageing to achieve expressive wines that are respectful of the ancient grape varieties he works with. The hierarchy of the Amaren range ignores the traditional classification of Rioja wines (Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva) and instead puts ‘Rioja Alavesa’ at the forefront of the label, thereby emphasizing the importance of place.

Viticulture

30 year old+ vines, most of the vineyards are sited on terraces and hillsides with a gentle slope in Samaneigo; a mixture of vineyards that contain chalky, claylimestone and gravely soils.

Winemaking

Upon entering the bodega and passing the selection table, the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed before undergoing fermentation and then maceration in concrete deposits for a total of 8 days, obtaining better colour extraction as well as much more complex wines, suitable for prolonged ageing. The wine is clarified with vegetable gelatines followed by anicrobic filtration. After its primary fermentation, the wine is placed in barrels where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for a minimum of 12 months. It is then bottled and aged for at least another 12 months before release.

Tasting Note

Ruby red colour, a clean nose with notes of balsamic and fine nuances of plum and clean oak. Smooth, fruit and spice flavours with toasted oak. Complex and structured. A pleasant finish with red fruits and hints of eucalyptus.

Food Matching

Red meats, game and ripe cheeses.