Carlos Serres Rioja Crianza
a smooth and classic taste of ripe red cherry and raspberry, elegantly layered with notes of sweet vanilla spice from its oak aging.
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£6.50
Carlos Serres Rioja Crianza
Carlos Serres Rioja Crianza presents a classic and approachable taste of one of Spain’s most renowned wine regions. With its vibrant cherry-red hue, often edged with a hint of purple, the wine immediately suggests a fresh yet mature character. The aroma is a captivating blend of ripe red fruits, where notes of cherry, raspberry, and plum take centre stage.
This fruity bouquet is intricately woven with the subtle, sweet spiciness imparted by its oak ageing, revealing hints of vanilla, clove, and a touch of leather. A delicate undercurrent of liquorice and balsamic adds a layer of complexity to the nose.
Upon tasting, the palate is greeted with a smooth and well-balanced profile. The red fruit flavours identified in the aroma translate beautifully, offering a juicy and lively mouthfeel. The time spent in both American and French oak barrels becomes evident in the gentle, well-integrated tannins that provide structure without being overpowering. This oak influence also contributes a pleasant toastiness and hints of spice that complement the fruit core. The wine maintains a refreshing acidity, which lends it vibrancy and makes it an excellent companion for a wide variety of foods.
The finish of the Carlos Serres Rioja Crianza is both persistent and satisfying. It leaves a lasting impression of sweet red fruit and a warm, spicy aftertaste. The overall impression is one of harmony between the fruit, the oak, and the wine’s inherent structure. It is a versatile and easy-to-drink Rioja that showcases the elegance and complexity characteristic of a Crianza, making it both accessible to newcomers and appreciated by seasoned wine enthusiasts.
Carlos Serres Rioja Crianza
The production and aging of Carlos Serres Rioja Crianza are a testament to the winery’s rich history, which seamlessly blends the traditional winemaking philosophy of Bordeaux with the unique terroir of Rioja. The process is meticulously managed from the vineyard to the bottle, ensuring a wine that is both a classic expression of the region and a reflection of the Carlos Serres style.
Vineyard Sourcing and Grape Selection
The foundation of Carlos Serres Rioja Crianza lies in the careful selection of 100% Tempranillo grapes. These are sourced from a dedicated group of growers located in the prestigious Rioja Alta sub-region, specifically around the town of Haro. The winery maintains long-term agreements with these growers and actively participates in the management of the vineyards to guarantee the highest quality of fruit.
The vines have an average age of over 20 years, which contributes to the concentration and complexity of the grapes. The soils in this area are predominantly chalky-clay with a high gravel content, ideal for cultivating Tempranillo. The grapes are harvested by hand to ensure that only the best bunches are selected for vinification.
Vinification: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity
Once the hand-picked grapes arrive at the winery, they are destemmed and gently pressed. A key aspect of the Carlos Serres winemaking style is the use of concrete vats for fermentation. This traditional method allows for a slow and steady fermentation process, with the natural porosity of the concrete enabling continuous micro-oxygenation. This helps to preserve the vibrant fruit characteristics and expressive aromas of the Tempranillo grape. The fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of a maximum of 28°C for approximately 10 days, with a preceding maceration on the skins for 6 days to extract colour, flavour, and tannins.
Aging: The Hallmarks of a Crianza
To be classified as a Crianza under the Rioja DOCa regulations, the wine must be aged for a minimum of two years, with at least one year spent in oak barrels. Carlos Serres adheres to this, aging their Crianza for 14 months in a combination of American and French oak barrels. This dual-oak approach is a signature of the winery. The American oak imparts sweeter notes of vanilla, coconut, and toffee, while the French oak contributes more subtle spicy and toasty aromas.
This balanced use of oak adds complexity and structure to the wine without overpowering the primary fruit flavours.
Following its time in barrel, the wine is then aged for a minimum of 6 months in the bottle before its release. This period of bottle aging is crucial for the wine to integrate its various components, soften its tannins, and develop a more harmonious and complex flavour profile. The result is a wine that is ready to be enjoyed upon release but also has the potential to evolve further with additional cellaring.
Bodegas Carlos Serres stands as a historic and pioneering winery in the heart of Spain’s most prestigious wine region, Rioja. With a rich legacy stretching back to the 19th century, the producer is renowned for its classic, terroir-driven wines that elegantly blend French winemaking heritage with the unique character of Rioja Alta.
A French Visionary in Haro
The story of the winery begins with its founder, Charles Serres, a French wine consultant from Bordeaux. In the late 1800s, as the phylloxera plague devastated the vineyards of France, Serres, like many of his compatriots, looked to Spain for new opportunities. He was drawn to the town of Haro in Rioja Alta, recognizing a terroir with a climate and soils reminiscent of the best in Bordeaux, and perfectly suited for producing high-quality, age-worthy wines. In 1896, he established his eponymous winery,
Tempranillo
Tempranillo is a very old, thick skinned grape variety with deep colour. It’s the fourth most planted grape variety in the world and the most widely planted red variety in its native Spain. In fact, the name Tempranillo actually comes from the Spanish word temprano, meaning “early”, in reference to the early ripening of the grapes in comparison to other varietals. While Tempranillo is the dominant Spanish grape, it’s primarily used for blending with other varieties including Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, to create a wonderfully balanced red wines, such as those from Rioja.
- Contains Sulphites
- Contains Added Preservatives
- Contains Yeast/Yeast Extracts
- Suitable for Vegans
- Suitable for Vegetarians
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The Country
Spanish wines are a tapestry of rich flavors and storied traditions, deeply rooted in the country’s diverse landscapes. From the sun-drenched plains of La Mancha to the verdant valleys of Galicia, each region imparts its own distinct character to the wines produced. The noble Tempranillo grape reigns supreme in the prestigious Rioja and Ribera del Duero, where it is transformed into wines that balance fruit intensity with earthy depth.
Meanwhile, the effervescent Cava sparkles with vivacity from Catalonia, and the complex Sherry from Jerez intrigues with its spectrum from dry to sweet. Spanish winemakers honor their heritage through meticulous aging classifications, from the youthful Vinos Jovenes to the venerable Gran Reservas, ensuring each bottle tells a story of time and terroir. This dedication to quality is safeguarded by stringent laws, preserving the legacy of Spanish wines as a cherished embodiment of the nation’s spirit and soil.
The Region
Rioja, a famed wine region in northern Spain, is best known for its berry-scented, barrel-aged red wines. These wines are primarily made from Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes.
The vineyards stretch along the course of the Ebro River, covering approximately 100 kilometers (60 miles) between the towns of Haro and Alfaro
Wine styles of Rioja:
- Red Wines: Dominant and iconic, made primarily from Tempranillo and Garnacha
- White Wines: Often overlooked but noteworthy, produced from Viura (Macabeo) and Chardonnay.
- Rosé Wines: Also exist, adding diversity to Rioja’s portfolio.
The Producer
Bodegas Carlos Serres stands as a historic and pioneering winery in the heart of Spain’s most prestigious wine region, Rioja. With a rich legacy stretching back to the 19th century, the producer is renowned for its classic, terroir-driven wines that elegantly blend French winemaking heritage with the unique character of Rioja Alta.
A French Visionary in Haro
The story of the winery begins with its founder, Charles Serres, a French wine consultant from Bordeaux. In the late 1800s, as the phylloxera plague devastated the vineyards of France, Serres, like many of his compatriots, looked to Spain for new opportunities. He was drawn to the town of Haro in Rioja Alta, recognizing a terroir with a climate and soils reminiscent of the best in Bordeaux, and perfectly suited for producing high-quality, age-worthy wines. In 1896, he established his eponymous winery,
