Luis Cañas Crianza 2022

Bodegas Luis Cañas works from Villabuena in Rioja Alavesa, in D.O.Ca. Rioja, farming 350 hectares across 870 plots on the clay and limestone soils of the district. The Crianza is mainly Tempranillo with a little Garnacha Tinta. The limestone-rich soils and the altitude of Rioja Alavesa give cool nights and a long, even growing season, which preserves the bright acidity and red-fruited freshness that mark the style, while restraining alcohol despite full ripeness. Farming is rational, avoiding herbicides and synthetic fertilisers. The wine spends twelve months in a mix of French and American oak, the classic Crianza regime, where slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and adds vanilla, sweet spice and the gentle dill and coconut of American oak alongside the fruit. The colour is deep cherry-red. The nose shows red berries and cherry, vanilla, tobacco leaf and dried herbs. The palate is medium to full bodied, smooth and fresh, with rounded tannins and a savoury, balsamic finish. Serve at 16 to 17C, with roast lamb, grilled red meat or aged cheese.