Carlos Serres Reserva – Silky Smooth Rioja Goodness

The highly satisfying Carlos Serres Reserva at a great Costco price.

90% Tempranillo and 10% Graciano from 30 year old vines in the Finca El Estanque vineyard in Haro, Rioja, Spain. The wine is aged for 24 months in a combination of French and American oak barrels and then a minimum of 12 more months in the bottle.

The Carlos Serres Reserva has an SRP of $20 and is available for as low as $15 or just $11.49 if your Costco carries it! Imported by Winesellers, Ltd. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

Carlos Serres was a pioneer in Rioja. He arrived in Spain in 1896 and created one of the first wineries in Haro, in the heart of Rioja. Carlos Serres went on to be an instrumental figure in promoting the early exports of Rioja wines, and today is one of only a few centenarian (over 100 years old) producers in Rioja.

Our Rioja Reserva is aged 24 months in oak barrels and an additional 12 months in the bottle before its release. It is a complex and elegant wine with aromas and flavors of mature black fruit and mineral notes, a perfect match with grilled meats, stews and stronger cheeses.

13.5% Alcohol

The 2010 Carlos Serres Reserva begins with a very pleasant and enticing aroma of dark fruit, lots of licorice, spice and a definite balsamic note. All those notes from the nose carry over when tasting this balanced, medium-bodied, silky smooth bottle of Rioja goodness. A bit of an earthy streak comes out mid-palate and leads into the long, dry finish which also features more balsamic, licorice and dark fruit along with hints of vanilla. It’s rare that we are disappointed with a Rioja Reserva and this is indeed a very tasty wine that we liked a lot. Combine that with Costco’s low prices and it’s a deal that can’t be beat.

Looking for more of the best wines from Rioja? Find out more about this region, its unique wine classifications and all of our recommended picks in our giant listing of The Best Wines From Rioja Under $20.

See a listing of local retailers selling the Carlos Serres Reserva here.