Exclusively: patience turned into art in the heart of Rioja Alta
In Rioja Alta there are wines that seem written with the ink of time, and this is one of them. Carlos Serres Gran Reserva 2019 hails from a historic house that has managed to keep intact the essence of Haro while evolving with a steady pace towards contemporary excellence. Its new vintage is a tribute to patience, to meticulous selection and to the ability to turn an exceptional year into an unrepeatable wine. A Gran Reserva that invites you to pause and enjoy at leisure.
Carlos Serres 5 Barricas Gran Reserva 2019 is the most exclusive expression from a century-old house that only produces this edition in genuinely memorable vintages. It comes from a meticulous selection of five barrels that stand out for balance, depth and ageing potential. It is a wine that asserts the greatness of Haro and the tradition of Rioja Gran Reserva, but with a contemporary finesse that makes it irresistible.
The winery Carlos Serres, founded in 1896, is one of the historic houses that helped shape Rioja’s classic style. Its presence in Haro, the region’s epicentre, has been decisive in consolidating the identity of long-aged wines. Over more than a century, the house has maintained a philosophy based on selecting privileged vineyards and patient maturation, becoming a reference for those seeking authenticity and character.
In this edition, the wine comes from Tempranillo and Graciano selected from plots in Rioja Alta that stand out for their freshness and ageing capacity. After a prolonged maturation in oak barrels and a further bottle-ageing rest, the result is a deep, harmonious red full of nuances, with the serenity that only great reservas produced without haste offer.
The ensemble is a demonstration of mastery: tradition, selection and time placed at the service of a wine that is born to move. A Gran Reserva that entices with its balance and nobility, perfect for accompanying celebrations and special moments. Its track record in guides and specialist critics confirms its quality, establishing it as one of the Rioja Alta’s most outstanding jewels.
Consumption features
Pairing
The careful aging in French and American oak of Carlos Serres 5 Barricas Gran Reserva 2019 is evident in a serious and balanced profile, ideal for a celebratory table and dishes with depth; it pairs very well with roast suckling pig, stewed partridge or a creamy rice with mushrooms, and also harmonises with roasted red meats or game stews with an intense flavour.
Carlos Serres 5 Barricas Gran Reserva 2019 was matured for at least 24 months in French and American oak barrels, a production that reinforces its Gran Reserva profile and its balanced character. It was then bottled in May 2022.
Vineyard
Description
Carlos Serres 5 Barricas Gran Reserva 2019 is made with Tempranillo, Graciano and Mazuelo, three varieties that contribute balance, depth and complexity to the overall blend.
Tasting notes
View
Garnet red in colour with ruby reflections, with good depth.
Nose
It has good intensity on the nose, refined, with notes of liqueur fruit alongside pleasant balsamic and aromatic herb notes that lead to hints of spice.
Mouth
On the palate it is tasty, ripe, approachable and with excellent balance, with lively acidity and a smooth, aromatic mouthfeel. A long, persistent finish.
The historic winery Carlos Serres is named after its founder, a renowned wine consultant born in Orleans, who was a pioneer in settling in Rioja after the arrival of phylloxera in France. Amazed by the winemaking conditions offered by Rioja, Carlos Serres founded his own winery in the Barrio de la Estación of Haro in 1896. From there, he became a precursor of wine aging following the Bordeaux model. He also stood out as a pioneer in the export of Rioja wine. In the year 2000, the Vivanco family acquired 100% of Bodegas Carlos Serres, leading to a significant renewal of the winery's wines and the construction of new facilities in the municipality of Haro, but outside the Barrio de la Estación.
The wines of Carlos Serres are made with grapes from the El Estanque estate, which spans 60 hectares and is located in Haro (La Rioja), as is the winery itself. The soils of the estate, clay-limestone with the presence of gravel, are ideal for cultivating traditional grape varieties. The winery is committed to using concrete tanks for winemaking, aiming to maximize the fruity expression of each variety (the porosity of concrete allows for micro-oxygenation).
In July 2020, Bodegas Carlos Serres achieved the Wineries for Climate Protection certification. This seal recognizes the commitment to sustainability and environmental care, currently held by only 27 wineries in Spain.
