Bodegas Luis Cañas, Rioja Crianza, DOCa Rioja, Spain (150 cl.), 2020

Producer Profile

In 1970 Luis Cañas changed two hundred years of tradition and became the first winemaker in Rioja Alavesa to bottle his young wine rather than sell it as bulk.

This bold move, and his continued pioneering spirit, has cemented the winery's enviable reputation as one of the most progressive in the region. Sheltered below the watchful Sierra Cantabria, the vineyards are all old, small plots on chalky-clay soils with a dedicated team of vineyard workers carrying out organic practices and a purpose built, fully equipped accommodation block was built for the entire vineyard team in 2006.

Viticulture

Juan Luis Cañas is now the powerhouse behind this highly accomplished winery, but everywhere you go there is a feeling of family, and especially of the lasting legacy that Luis Cañas has left for both his son and the Rioja Alavesa since his passing in December 2019. With 350 hectares of outstanding vineyards, split across 870 different plots, the viticultural department control every aspect. Each of the plots has its own personality and is categorised and used for different wines according to its characteristics.

Winemaking

Upon entering the bodega and passing the selection table, the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed before undergoing fermentation and then maceration in stainless steel tanks 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 and follows 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 for at least another 12 months.

Oak Ageing

Time: 12 months
Type: 60% French Oak, 40% American oak
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: None

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, velvety cherry fruit and a slight hint of liquorice. Lasting rich fruit flavours with smooth round tannins. Complex and structured. A pleasant finish with red fruits and hints of eucalyptus.

Food Matching

Ideal with meat paella, roasted meat and poultry, chorizo and other Spanish cured meats.