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Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva
Bodegas Luis Canas
Spain - La Rioja - Rioja

A deep powerful Gran Reserva from one of Rioja Alavesa's 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
Ruby red color with earthy tones. The wine shows finesse, elegance and complexity with good concentration of black fruit, thyme and rosemary with secondary aromas of leather and tobacco leaves. In the palate it is polished and rounded, making it pleasant and easy to drink. Fleshy with both elegance and power. It has touches of black fruit jam and liquorice. A long, delicious and persistent finish.

Specifications
Appellation
Rioja
Wine Type
Red
Varietal(s)
95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano
Agricultural Practices
Sustainable
Vinification
The bunches are selected by Luis Canas himself before destemming, so individual berries can be sorted by weight. They later undergo fermentation and maceration in stainless steel tanks for 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 a total of 24 months (70% French, 30% American oak; new). Further aged 3 years in bottle.
Pairings

Suitable for pairing with a long, copious meal where it can accommodate braised vegetables, cold cuts, peppers stuffed with hake and shrimp, mushroom omelettes, cod Rioja style, both red and white meat... and so on.

Reviews and News

2016 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 92 PTS - JS

2016 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 92 PTS - JS

 james suckling hq logo plain" A tight, full-bodied Rioja with some vanilla spices, walnuts and hazelnuts to the black plums and cherries. Juicy and a bit chewy on the palate with very firm tannins that are tightly tucked into the long, creamy finish. 95% tempranillo and 5% graciano. Quite young now. Better in two years."

- James Suckling (May 2023), 92 pts

2016 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 91 PTS - WA

2016 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 91 PTS - WA

wa91"The 2016 Gran Reserva was produced with Tempranillo and 5% Graciano that matured in 70% French and 30% American oak barrels for 24 months. The wine is balsamic and spicy, with smoky oak notes and plenty of tannins n the palate, in need of powerful food. It's a bit too dry on the palate, with a faint astringency on the finish. 37,843 bottles produced. Will the oak get integrated before it fades? - Luis Gutiérrez"

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

2014 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 93 PTS - VINOUS

2014 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 93 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"Bright ruby-red. Expressive, smoke-accented cherry and blueberry aromas are complicated by floral, vanilla and exotic spice nuances. Sappy, sweet and broad in the mouth, offering lush red and dark berry, licorice and floral pastille flavors that become spicier and livelier as the wine opens up. Shows fine clarity on the long, oak-spiced finish, which is framed by smooth, even tannins - Josh Raynolds"

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

2013 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 92 PTS - WE

2013 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 92 PTS - WE

wine enthusiast 91 pts

"A smooth and steady nose on this wine offers round aromas of vanilla, cassis, blackberry and sandalwood. A friendly palate is full and easygoing, with a helping shot of acidity. Dark plum, blackberry and oak-spice flavors finish dry but not drying. Drink now–2025. - MICHAEL SCHACHNER

- Wine Enthusiast (September 2021), 91 pts

2011 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 95 PTS - JD

2011 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 95 PTS - JD

jeb dunnuck logo 250"One of the standouts in this report is the 2011 Rioja Gran Reserva, which is primarily Tempranillo blended with 5% Graciano. Aged two years in French and American oak followed by three years in bottle, it has a thrilling bouquet of spiced cherries, cedarwood, licorice, and graphite. Medium to full-bodied, incredibly elegant and seamless, it still has ample fruit and a big mid-palate, all pointing to it evolving gracefully for 15-20 years. Count me in as a fan."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 2019), 95 pts

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2011 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 93 PTS - VINOUS

2011 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 93 PTS - VINOUS

vinous logo"(70% new French oak and 30% used American oak) Deep ruby. Dark berries, candied licorice, cola and a spicy suggestion of black pepper on the highly fragrant, oak-spiced nose. Supple and appealingly sweet, offering intense boysenberry and blackberry flavors that are complicated by suggestions of vanilla and floral pastilles. Gently blends power and finesse and finishes very long and smooth, displaying alluring sweetness and subtle, slow-building tannins. - Josh Raynolds"
- Antonio Galloni's Vinous (February 2019), 93 pts

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2011 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 92 PTS - TA

2011 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 92 PTS - TA

tim atkin logo 250"This is still a comparatively youthful Gran Reserva blend of Tempranillo with 10% Graciano, aged for 24 months in a combination of French and American wood. The fruit quality is excellent here, all black cherry and bramble, with good acidity and palate length a patina of oak spice. 2020-27"
- - TIM ATKIN RIOJA 2019 SPECIAL REPORT, February 2019, 92 pts

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2011 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 90 PTS - WA

2011 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 90 PTS - WA

wa90"Cropped from a ripe vintage, the 2011 Gran Reserva is mostly Tempranillo with 5% Graciano, aged in new French barriques for 12 months followed by a further year in used American oak barrels. It's chewy and juicy, with fruit from a ripe vintage that takes well the long aging in barrel. It's balsamic and spicy, an updated version of a classical Rioja, clean and pleasant. 39,200 bottles produced. - Luis Gutiérrez"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #235, February 2018), 90 pts

Go to Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva

2010 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 92 PTS - JS

2010 Luis Canas Rioja Gran Reserva - 92 PTS - JS

 james suckling hq logo plain"Dark plum cake and earthy aromas. A full body, moderately dry tannins and quite fresh acidity make this a Rioja classic. Drink now."

- James Suckling (Span Tasting Report 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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