Bodegas Luis Canas, Rioja Crianza, DOCa Rioja, Spain, 2021

Producer Profile

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.

Viticulture

Juan Luis Cañas is now the powerhouse behind this highly accomplished winery, but everywhere you go there is a feeling of family, and especially of the lasting legacy that Luis Cañas has left for both his son and the Rioja Alavesa since his passing in December 2019. With 350 hectares of outstanding vineyards, split across 870 different plots, the viticultural department control every aspect. Each of the plots has its own personality and is categorised and used for different wines according to its characteristics.

Winemaking

Upon entering the bodega and passing the selection table, the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed before undergoing fermentation and then maceration in small stainless steel tanks for a total of 20 days at controlled temperatures, obtaining better colour extraction as well as much more complex wines, suitable for prolonged ageing. The wine is clarified and followed by amicrobic filtration. The malolactic fermentation is carried out in the deposits too. The wine is placed in American and French oak barrels for a minimum of 12 months ageing. It is then bottled an aged for a further 12 months minimum.

Oak Ageing

Time: 12 Months
Type: 60% French Oak, 40% American oak
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: None

Tasting Note

Ruby red colour. A clean nose with notes of balsamic and fine nuances of plum and clean oak. Intense spice and oak on layers of velvety cherry fruit and a slight hint of licquorice. Lasting rich fruit flavours with smooth round tannins. Complex and structured. A pleasant finish with red fruits and hints of eucalyptus.

Food Matching

Ideal with meat paella, roasted meat and poultry, chorizo and other Spanish cured meats.

Awards

Tim Atkins Rioja Special Report 2025 91 Points
Pedro Pablo Amurrio produces a million bottles of this wine, which is impressive given the quality on display. Tempranillo takes the lead here with a supporting cast of 5% Garnacha, Graciano, Rojal and Viura. Fresh, bright and perfumed, and showing way less French and American oak than it used to have, this has firmish tannins and plum, patisserie spice and red berry flavours. 2025-29. 91 Points, TA, February 2025.