Gran Reserva 2016

Het wijnhuis dateert uit de tijd dat de regio Rioja een ongekende opmars doormaakte – mede dankzij de intensieve uitwisseling met Frankrijk. Daar kwam Charles Serres vandaan, die zich later Carlos noemde en zijn bodega in Haro oprichtte. De stijl van zijn 'Gran Reserva' is nog steeds een schoolvoorbeeld van een typische rioja.

The very classical 2016 Gran Reserva comes with a very traditional label (they seem to have changed the image of most wines), including the golden wire net. It was produced with a selection of grapes from their El Estanque estate in Haro, a canonical 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. It fermented in stainless steel and matured in French and American oak barrels for two years and was kept in bottle for another three. It has a textbook spicy nose with sweet spices, smoke and toast, berry fruit and herbs, a touch of forest floor and truffles, with a moderate 13.5% alcohol and balancing freshness. 47,200 bottles produced. It was bottled in 2021.

The scent of black cherry, tobacco leaf and chocolate sets the scene for flavors of red currant, raspberry, mocha, cherry pipe tobacco and a touch of eucalyptus. Sinewy tannins are offset by brilliant acidity that endures on the tongue and gums.