Bodegas Luis Cañas, Selección de la Familia Rioja Reserva, DOCa Rioja, 2016

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.

WINEMAKING

Upon entering the bodega, the grapes were cold macerated for 72 hours on arrival at the winery. Fermentation at 26º C in sealed cement tanks under constant thermal control, with the must pumped over daily. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation took place after 45 days after its primary fermentation, in barrels and is aged for 18 to 24 months in French and American oak.

TASTING NOTES 

A beautiful ruby colour. A clean nose with good intensity. Complex aromas of leather, ripe sweet fruit and herbs over a base of fine oak. Palate: Potent and juicy with structure and good tenacity. The finish shows lots of spice and is ample, complex, long and persistent.

FOOD PAIRING

Best served with pasta dishes, roasted lamb and beef, stews and poultry.