Bodegas Luis Cañas, Rioja Gran Reserva, DOCa Rioja, Spain, 2019

Product code: 3091

Producer Profile

Bodegas Luis Cañas has been at the heart of Rioja since 1928 and has played an enormous role in shaping the Alavesa’s – and Rioja’s – modern incarnation.

Comprising some of the region’s best and highest altitude vineyards, the soil in this area is thin and produces small bunches – perfect for making highly concentrated Rioja wines. The vineyards are divided into hundreds of individual plots, each planted with gnarly old bush vines on chalky-clay soils that shelter under the magnificent Sierra de Cantabria range. Rioja Alavesa has the largest number of ‘Viñedo Singulares’ in Rioja and Luis Cañas is an exemplary producer of single vineyard wines from the region. The estate’s director of viticulture, Rubén Jiménez, is celebrated for the important research he has conducted into identifying special sites in the Alavesa, as well as recovering an extraordinary number of ‘lost and ancient’ varieties from the family’s vineyards. He was named Grower of the Year by Tim Atkin MW in 2023 for the vital work he is doing to advance and safeguard the region. In 2016, Juan Luis, son of Luis Cañas, opened Bodegas Amaren in the neighbouring village of Samaniego and named his own son, Jon Cañas, as winemaker.

Viticulture

Sustainable viticulture, currently undergoing conversion to EU-certified organic viticulture. The grapes come from the area known as Carraelciego, an elevated plateau located to the south of Villabuena de Álava, home to century-old, bush vines. These extremely low-yielding vines produce small berries of exceptional concentration, intensity, structure and aromatic complexity. As part of our R&D project focused on recovering ancestral grape varieties, we have identified a remarkable diversity of varieties within these old vineyards — a true treasure that contributes to the unique identity of Rioja Alavesa.

Winemaking

As with every wine from the Luis Cañas Family, Luis Cañas Gran Reserva undergoes a three-step sorting process. Alcoholic fermentation is carried out in 10,000 L oak vats under temperature-controlled conditions, using our own indigenous yeasts. Malolactic fermentation takes place in new and second-use 500 L oak barrels, also using our own indigenous bacteria to ensure maximum control throughout the fermentation process. The wine is aged for 24 months in oak, followed by at least three years of bottle ageing.

Tasting Note

A modern-style Gran Reserva combining ripe fruit with well-integrated new oak. Complex and subtle on the nose, with balsamic notes, Mediterranean herbs, aniseed and delicate minerality. Powerful and full-bodied, with firm yet refined tannins, savoury depth and a remarkably long finish. Tempranillo and Graciano come together to create an expressive wine that reflects the character of this exceptional vineyard and its region.