"Tim Atkins Rioja Special Report 2025 92 Points
Something of a more traditional style from the Luis Cañas team, this is a cuvée of Tempranillo and 5% Graciano from the Carralciego vineyard in Villabuena de Álava. Combining French and 30% American oak ageing, it's firm, mature and appealingly balsamic, with nice backbone and tobacco leaf, plum and redcurrant flavours. 2025-34. 92 Points, TA, February 2025."
Bodegas Luis Cañas has been at the heart of Rioja since 1928 though the contemporary story begins in 1970 when Luis Canas became the first Rioja Alavesa winemaker to bottle his young wine rather than sell it in bulk. Situated in Villabuena, Luis Cañas utilise their knowledge of the local climate, terroir, cultivation methods and a real sense of pride and dedication to create these unique wines - every harvest Luis Cañas, now 83, stands at the head of the selection table keenly ensuring only the best parcels of grapes are used. The end result is wine consistently packed with fruit and wrapped in a silky, oak-laced layer of flavour that seems unique to Rioja - truly world class.
