
Until 2009, Ribatejo was a wine region in Portugal. After that time it became known as the Tejo region. Ribatejo covers the same areas as the province of Ribatejo getting its name from the Tejo River. The entire area uses the Vinho Regional designation. The river was renamed in order to increase the international reputation of Ribatejo.
The DOC has retained the name Ribatejo, which removed the old problem of having the identical name applied to wines with two different classification levels. Ribatejo was hit extremely hard by the 1974 revolution. When this occurred, some winemakers didn’t do so well, while others were completely displaced.
Located between the Alentejo VRs and the Lisboa, the Tagus river dominates the region, the river is responsible for the climate of the region which makes it much more temperate and fertile than other regions in Portugal.
The vineyards in Ribatejo are planted in the fertile plains along the river in the alluvial soil. The region is also known for producing an abundance of crops. Wine making in Portugal dates back to Roman times when the winemakers in the region exported their reds and whites all over Europe. By the end of the 13th century, Ribatejo shipped almost 60,000 barrels of wine to England every year.
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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 Reserva is made from 100 percent 95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano
A classic style Rioja Reserva 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
Rich color. Very pleasant on the nose, subtle and elegant, complex, with aromas of fine wood, ripe fruit, coffee. Thick, unctuous and round on the palate with solid structure and juicy tannins. The second nose shows spiced nuances and black ripe fruit aromas.
Winemaking and aging
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 aceration in stainless steel tanks for a total of 8 days, obtaining better color extraction as well as much more complex and tannic wines, suitable for prolonged aging.
After its primary fermentation, the wine is placed in barrels where it undergoes malolactic fermentation and is aged for 18 months in French (70%) and American (30%) oak barrels, then aged minimum 18 months in bottle before release.
Total acidity: 5 g./l. Volatile acidity: 0,6 g./l. PH: 3,59 Free SO2: 25 mg./l. Residual sugar: 1,9 g./l.
Excellent with red or white meats, all types of game, roasts, oily fish, rice with meat and cheese. Within Rioja cuisine it is perfection accompanying peppers stuffed with cod, artichokes with ham, migas pastoriles and trotters
Review:
Elegant and driven, pairing muscularity with drive and nuance. Fresh pink citrus, pomegranate and cranberry dominate the palate, with energy and detail. The tannins are at once savoury and zesty and the wine lingers forever with detailed notes of oregano, thyme, tarragon and curry leaf.
-Decanter 95 Points