The Carmenere grape was initially planted in Bordeaux, France and was used to create dark red wines. Carmenere is a cousin to the Cabernet variety and its name originates from the French word meaning crimson, which describes the vibrant colors of the variety’s leaves in the autumn. The grape is one of the oldest varieties in Eurpoe, and is thought to be a copy of Cabernet Sauvignon. This variety joins a list of six red wine grapes that originally come from the region of Bordeaux, France. Carmenere cannot be easily found today in France, and is now grown mainly in Chile. The region in Chile where Carmenere is planted boasts of almost 9,000 acres and makes Chile the largest producer of Carmenere wines. Cuttings of the variety were brought to Chile from Bordeaux in the 19th century and were often confused with Merlot. Although the variety is similar to Merlot, growers have managed to maintain the variety in Chile and continue to see the variety thriving. Carmenere is also grown in Italy, California and parts of the United States. This deep colored red wine has the aromas of red fruits, berries and light tannins. Carmenere is used mostly for blending and is perfect to drink when young.
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All older vintage wines have been purchased from a single collectors cellar. Pictures can be requested before shipment.
Luis Canas Rioja Crianza is made from 95% Tempranillo and 5% Garnacha
A classic style Rioja from one of the regions most enduring family run wineries.. The hillside terraced vineyards are sheltered by the Sierra Cantabria Mountains to the north from harsh weather extremes. Small plot production is utilized in this region of infertile chalky clay soil to produce clusters of excellent quality. Almost 900 plots are needed to complete the approximately 400 hectares of estate-owned or cellar-controlled vineyards, some with vines more than 100 years in age.
Tasting notes
Made from 95% Tempranillo, 5% Garnacha of 30 years of age, the wine shows a ruby red color, a clean nose with nuances of balsamic, plum and cedar. The palate is smooth and velvety, complex and structured, with fruit, spice flavors with toasted oak. A pleasant finish with red fruits and hints of eucalyptus.
The harvest
This year in Rioja Alavesa the weather has been especially cold, the summer short and dry, and there has been plenty of rain in early September. This has produced wines with great aromatic notes, particularly those coming from high altitude areas, very fragrant and with great structure.
Winemaking and aging
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 color extraction as well as much more complex wines, suitable for prolonged aging. The wine is clarified with vegetable gelatines and follows anicrobic filtration.
It is ideal to pair with meats; red meat, poultry, small game, oily fish, semi-cured cheeses, spicy dishes and hot dishes such as beans or potatoes Rioja style.
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.
Review:
"Juicy Bing cherries, peppery herbs, leather, and cedarwood notes all emerge from the 2021 Rioja Crianza, a medium-bodied, concentrated, round, layered red that has supple tannins, beautiful fruit, and a great finish. This classic Rioja has tons to love."
- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 91 pts