Bodegas Luis Cañas, Rioja Reserva, DOCa Rioja, Spain (50cl.), 2017

Producer Profile

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

Comprised of some of the region’s best and highest altitude vineyards, the soil in this area is poor and produces small bunches, perfect for making highly concentrated Rioja wines. Vineyards are split into hundreds of individual plots, planted with gnarly old bush vines on chalky-clay soils, sheltered 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 Estates' Director of Viticulture, Rubén Jiménez, is celebrated for the important research he has conducted in identifying special sites in the Alavesa, as well as recovering an extraordinary number of ‘lost and ancient’ varieties in 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 son, Jon Cañas, winemaker.

Viticulture

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. The vines used for the Reserva have an average age of 40 years.

Winemaking

Upon entering the bodega, bunches undergo a manual selection and then individual grapes are sorted based on their weight. Following this double selection process, they are de-stemmed and crushed before undergoing fermentation and then maceration in stainless steel tanks for a total of 22 days, obtaining better colour extraction as well as much more complex and tannic wines, suitable for prolonged ageing. After its primary fermentation, the wine is placed in barrels where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for 18 months in French and American Oak.

Tasting Note

Deep cherry red, clean and bright. Good aromatic intensity with notes of ripe red fruits over a base of elegant balsamic. In the mouth is tasty, mellow, fresh and with fine nuances of sweet fruit. It has volume and the tannins are well integrated and polished. In the aftertaste, touches of very ripe fruit and nuances of liquor appear making it last in the palate.

Food Matching

Perfect enjoyed on its own or to complement steak, soft casseroles and cheese.

Awards

Tim Atkin Rioja Report 2024 92 Points
It wasn't easy to make balanced wines in the challenging 2017 vintage, but this cuvée of Tempranillo with 5% Graciano certainly fits the bill. Focused, elegant and nuanced, it's a bright, modern, sensitively oaked red with violet and aniseed top notes, sappy black fruit flavours and a fresh, vibrant finish. TA, 92 Points, 2024.