Carlos Serres Rioja Reserva

Carlos Serres was founded out of pure love and passion for crafting the finest wines. The Spanish winery does have a French touch, however, as Carlos Serres is originally a French winemaker who found his fortune in Rioja. At the end of the nineteenth century, he decided to move to the Rioja region after Phylloxera Vastatrix had damaged many vines in France, forcing the clearing of many vineyards. He traveled extensively around the world and was amazed by the quality of the Rioja region. He found the best vineyards and compared them to the finest Bordeaux vineyards. His now-old vineyards enjoy the same climate, with abundant sunshine, cool winds, and falling nighttime temperatures. This allows the grapes to receive everything they need, and we taste that in the rich aromas and flavors of this red wine.

The old Rioja vineyard of Carlos Serres

In the heart of the Rioja region, specifically in Haro (Rioja Alta district), he built his winery and purchased the surrounding vineyards. This red wine, the Carlos Serres Rioja Crianza, is made with ninety percent Tempranillo grapes, with the remainder being Garnacha. This was Mr. Serres's own invention, as only Tempranillo was once found in the Rioja region. The grapes mature evenly and are harvested entirely by hand to obtain the purest, cleanest juice. After pressing, this Reserva undergoes a minimum oak aging period of twelve months, making it exceptionally powerful and refined. This wine also made Carlos Serres world famous, as he was the one who sold the first bottles of Rioja abroad. The wine, especially this Carlos Serres Rioja Reserva, became immensely popular abroad, prompting more wineries to seek their fortune in other countries. For this reason, Carlos Serres is still considered the founder of the renowned Rioja wine region.

Full and very powerful this Carlos Serres Reserva

This red wine is simply a celebration, starting the moment we open the bottle. Once the cork is popped, we smell a beautiful bouquet of dark black fruit and, of course, the spiciness of a top Rioja. Upon pouring, we're surprised by the dark color, which tells us a lot about what's to come. Nosing the glass, we encounter a powerful aroma of blackberries and berries, complemented by spices, vanilla, cedar, chocolate, coffee grounds, and a hint of blueberry. On the palate, this red wine transports you to the Spanish temperament with abundant richness of black fruit and a wealth of flavors, including vanilla, oak, spices, licorice, and more. What a discovery!