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Luis Canas Rioja Reserva Seleccion Familia
Bodegas Luis Canas
Spain - Rioja - Rioja

The "family reserve" from one of Rioja Alavesa's most enduring family-run wineries. Wines destined to be the Reserva de la Familia label are made from a selection of grapes from old vines, those which combine a series of characteristics such as good orientation and exposure to the sun, and a poor soil which ensures low yields.
This wine is one of very few Rioja wines to blend Cabernet Sauvignon with Tempranillo. Bodegas Luis Canas was granted permission by the D.O.Ca. to plant this variety as an experiment in the early 1980s.

Tasting notes
A brillant garnet color with cherry hints on the edges.
The nose offers a complex variety of aromas that combine to bring an intense and sophisticated wine. Initially we can find very ripe berry fruits, smoky notes, raisins and liquor. After a certain amount of aeration, the cinnamon and jam notes appear and, with a little more time, the roasted and spiced aromas are noticed more clearly.
The palate is full, with a good presence of tannins, although these are offset by the glycerine like character, resulting in a fleshy sensation. Long lasting and lingering finish.

Specifications
Appellation
Rioja
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
85% Tempranillo and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
Agricultural Practices
Sustainable
Vinification
The grapes were cold macerated for 72 hours upon arrival at the winery. Fermentation at 26degrees C in sealed cement tanks under constant thermal control with daily pump over. With the paste devatted by gravity, spontaneous malolactic fermentation took place after 45 days.
Aged for 20 months in 50% medium toasted American and 50% French oak barrels. The barrel aging not only adds tannins from the wood, but stabilizes the wine naturally. After the final racking, it was clarified in tanks with a small amount of natural egg white, decanted after 30 days and bottled directly with no filtration. Because this wine
Pairings

This wine's versatility allows us to savor its personality and character with classics such as roast lamb or pork and gamey stews. But it also blends masterfully with mushrooms, truffles, black chocolate, nuts, cream-based or spicy dishes etc.

Reviews and News

2019 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 95 PTS - JD

2019 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 95 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"Including 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, the Tempranillo-dominated 2019 Rioja Reserva Selección de la Familia is a crème de la crème selection that was aged 20 months in oak. Its deep purple hue is followed by a sensational nose of ripe black and blue fruits, cedarwood, graphite, smoked tobacco, and chocolate.This carries to a full-bodied Rioja with a powerful, layered mouthfeel, ripe yet building tannins, and serious length on the finish."

- Jeb Dunnuck (Importer Highlight: Fran Kysela ; July 2024), 95 pts

2019 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - IWR

2019 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - IWR

i winereview logo"This is a serious Tempranillo-led wine. Dark carmine in color with red and black fruit and hints of sweet oak on the nose. The structure is firm, and the flavors dense, revealing a silky textured palate of excellent depth. A blend of 85% Tempranillo and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from estate vineyards planted in the 1980s. Matured 20 months in 90% new French and American oak. 14.5% alc - Don WINKLER"

- International Wine Review (Kysela Père et Fils Importer: 30 Years Importing High Quality, High Value Wines ; July 26th 2024), 93 pts

2019 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92 PTS - TA

2019 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92 PTS - TA

jeb dunnuck logo 250"One of only a handful of wines in Rioja that contains Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a stylish, well-judged blend of the Bordeaux grape with 85% Tempranillo. Graphite and blackcurrant leaf aromas add an extra dimension to the red berry and bramble fruit here framed by equal proportions of French and American oak. 2024-32"

- Tim Atkin (Rioja 2024 Special Report), 92 points

2017 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - WA

2017 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - WA

wa91"The 2017 Reserva Selección de la Familia comes from a very challenging vintage, and the wine produced with Tempranillo and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon has high ripeness at 14.5% alcohol (it was a warm year after the crop was decimated by frost). It feels quite oaky with notes of incense and cigar ash intermixed with ripe fruit and some herbs after it spent 20 months in French and American oak barrels. Traditional with a twist and an herbal side to it. 101,225 bottles produced. - Luis Gutiérrez"

- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (July 2022), 91 pts

2017 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - JS

2017 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"Racy red plums, mineral and red berries on the nose, followed by an elegant, medium-bodied palate with silky and juicy tannins. A reserved and nuanced Rioja with nice length in the end. Drink now."

- James Suckling (September 2022), 91 pts

2016 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - VINOUS

2016 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"Brilliant violet. Expressive dark berry, cherry cola and vanilla aromas are complemented by suggestions of pipe tobacco and candied flowers. Lush and open-knit, offering appealingly sweet black and blue fruit flavors that tighten up and become sweeter with air. Polished tannins frame a very long, smooth finish featuring hints of cherry preserves and baking spices. Raised in a 50/50 combination of French and American oak. - Josh Raynolds"

- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (April 2021), 93 pts

2016 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92 PTS - JS

2016 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"Berry and chocolate with some cedar and vanilla. Full-bodied, yet tight and reserved, with firm tannins and a long, fresh finish. Tempranillo. Drinkable now, but a year or two of bottle age will soften it even more."

- James Suckling (September 2021), 92 pts

2015 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - JS

2015 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"A ripe, flavorful Rioja with ripe berries and lots of old, toasted oak. Coffee character as well. Medium to full body, chewy tannins and a vanilla finish. A little overdone, but it’s still very attractive. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling (October 2020), 91 pts

2014 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - WE

2014 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 93 pts"A saturated color and aromas of ripe black fruits, perfumed oak, vanilla and oud wood are welcoming, while this Reserva feels lush but also racy due to vital core acidity. Toasty oak and deep berry flavors finish long and smoky. Drink now or hold through 2027. - MICHAEL SCHACHNER"
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine (June/July 2020), 93 pts

2014 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - TA

2014 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"Made from an unusual (for Rioja) blend of Tempranillo with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from five different Rioja Alavesa villages, this is a serious, new French and American oak-aged red with plenty of tannic backbone, aromas of graphite and cassis and dense blackberry and mocha flavors. 2021-26."
- TIM ATKIN RIOJA 2020 SPECIAL REPORT, February 2020, 93 pts

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2014 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - JS

2014 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"Elderberries, blackcurrants, blackberries and tea leaves. Full-bodied and intense on the palate, driving home a wealth of dark fruit and chewy tannins. Drink in 2021."
- James Suckling (July 2019), 91 pts

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2012 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - TA

2012 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"One of only a handful of wines in Rioja that uses "experimental" Cabernet Sauvignon, Luis Cañas combines it here with 85% Tempranillo. This is still comparatively oaky, made before the shift in style in 2013, but the Cabernet gives the wine backbone and soaks up the splinters. Firm, refreshing and well structured. 2020-26."
- TIM ATKIN RIOJA 2019 SPECIAL REPORT, February 2019, 93 pts

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2012 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92 PTS - VINOUS

2012 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"(raised in new oak barrels, half French and half American) Deep ruby color. Sexy, oak-tinged raspberry, cassis and licorice aromas, along with a hint of mocha. Offers silky, sweet dark fruit and floral pastille flavors that show excellent depth and are energized by a late jolt of peppery spices. The spicy quality carries through a long, subtly tannic finish that leaves vanilla and blue fruit notes behind."
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (February 2019), 92 pts

Go To Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia

2012 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92 PTS - JD

2012 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"A bona fide fruit bomb, the 2012 Reserva Seleccion Familia checks in as 85% Tempranillo and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon that spent 20 months in equal part French and American oak. It’s a big, full-bodied, ripe effort that has loads of cassis, vanilla, cedarwood, and licorice aromas and flavors. Despite all its fruit, it stays balanced and lively on the palate, with good purity and a great finish. I’d drink it over the coming decade, but I suspect it will keep even longer."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 2019), 92 pts

Go To Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia

2012 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - WA

2012 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - WA

wa91"The 2012 Reserva Selección de la Familia is Tempranillo with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes it different from the majority of reds from Rioja. It matured 50/50 in French and American oak barrels for 20 months. It's slightly more international than the rest of the bottlings, the Cabernet adding some weight. There are notes of toasted sesame seeds and a touch from the French oak. It's clearly different, so it's a matter of preference which one you like best. 125,250 bottles produced. - Luis Gutierrez"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #235, February 2018), 91 pts

Go To Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia

2012 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 90 PTS - IWC

2012 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 90 PTS - IWC

2011 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - Drinks Business

2011 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 93 PTS - Drinks Business

gold rioja master 2017drink business logo25093 pts - GOLD MEDAL - Rioja Masters 2017 / Drinks Business

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2011 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - JS

2011 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 91 PTS - JS

james suckling hq logo plain"Dark and oaky with some power and richness, but savory rather than sweetish. The finish is frankly tannic, but fairly well balanced. Drink now."
- James Suckling (July 2017), 91 pts

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2010 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92PTS - DECANTER

2010 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92PTS - DECANTER

 decanter logo 250"Fresh and sweet with ripe aromas of dark violets, citrus leaf and sweet spice with a touch of beeswax. Summer pudding and vanilla cream dominate the palate with juicy and concentrated plum and cherry flavours."
- Decanter, 92 pts

2010 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92 PTS - WS

2010 Luis Canas Reserva Seleccion de la Familia - 92 PTS - WS

wine spectator 92 pts"Coffee and cola notes frame the currant, licorice, leather and floral flavors in this bold red. Muscular and rangy, with firm tannins and lively acidity. Drink now through 2030.—T.M."
- Wine Spectator Insider (May 17th 2017), 92 pts"

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Producer Information: Bodegas Luis Canas

Bodegas Luis Cañas is one of Rioja Alavesa’s oldest family-owned wineries. The history starts with Carlos Cañas, who sold his wines in bulk, transporting them by mule and cart throughout ...
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