Luis Cañas Selección de la Familia Reserva 2020

Luis Cañas Selección de la Familia Reserva is a Rioja from the Luis Cañas winery in Villabuena, in the Rioja Alavesa. It is made from Tempranillo at around 85 percent with a complement of other red varieties, drawn from a selection of old vines more than forty-five years old. Those vines are planted on poor soils that naturally limit the crop, giving low yields and concentrated, high-quality fruit. The continental Rioja climate, with hot days and cold nights, holds acidity and aromatic freshness through ripening. The wine follows traditional Rioja winemaking and is aged twenty months in a mix of French and American oak, a long élevage in which slow oxygen exchange softens the tannins and builds the leather, spice and vanilla character associated with a classic Reserva. The colour is a deep ruby with a garnet edge. The nose offers ripe red and dark fruit, dried cherry, leather, tobacco, vanilla and a savoury earthiness. The palate is structured and rounded, full bodied, with fine ripe tannins, good acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted ahead. It suits roast lamb and aged cheese.