Ca’ De Lion Carlos Serres Heirloom Vineyards Dry Best Wine Deals

Carlos Serres is a bit of an OG - one of the few Rioja producers with a century of winemaking behind them. Carlos was actually named Charles, a French Winemaker who left Bordeaux, fed up with dealing with phylloxera riddled vineyards, landing in Spain. He founded the first winery in Rioja with export certification and applied French winemaking techniques to Rioja fruit. Pretty soon, there was a demand for Rioja in the rest of Europe and the US.

Carlos Serres Crianza is 100% Tempranillo and spends 14 months in a combo of French and American oak. Being 'Crianza', the wine has spent a year in barrel, and another on bottle prior to release. Typically aged in older oak, Crianza can have quite assertive tannins and fruit which is intense whilst retaining great freshness. This is a particularly good example, packed with red fruits, cherries, spice, oak and nervy acidity.

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Carlos Serres is a bit of an OG - one of the few Rioja producers with a century of winemaking behind them. Carlos, actually named Charles, was a French Winemaker who, fed up with dealing with phylloxera riddled vineyards, left Bordeaux and wound up in Spain. He founded the first winery in Rioja with export certification and applied French winemaking techniques to Rioja fruit. Pretty soon there was a demand for Rioja in the rest of Europe and the US.

Young and fresh but nonetheless intense, owing to the very low yields from the 2022 vintage. Fresh red and black fruits here, along with liquorice and a hint of vanilla. Zippy fruit and relatively high tannins make this a great match for protein.

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Expressive and fruit driven, this Barbera from Asti in Piedmont is deep, juicy and intense, stopping just short of being rich, though that will come with age. Fruit comes from estate vines grown in the Piedmont sub region of Asti, perhaps the best place in the world to grow Barbera. Specifically, the vines are on the slopes of the San Marzano hills. This wine is made in tiny quantities and is of exceptional quality. After a quick decant wonderful red fruits, violets, cherries, florals, earth, coffee and other goodies emerge. Wonderful now (though needs decanting, and will age beautifully. Learn More

Produced in Piedmont, specifically in the famed Langhe Hills, this beautifully structured Nebbiolo is aged for 12 months in a combination of large format French oak and stainless steel. This is more approachable than an equivalent Nebb from Barolo, the tannins, whilst noticeable and an important part of the wines structure, being less strident than you'll find in most wines from nearby Barolo or Barbaresco. Lots going on here from violet and red fruit aromatics, fresh straw, vanilla, liquorice and spice through truffles, which will continue to develop as the wine ages, plus tobacco and dark chocolate. A stunner after decanting and will cellar magnificently. Learn More

Expressive, grounded, powerful, playful. This is an exceptional Pinot Noir sourced from a single vineyard in Charleston. Red and purple aromatics lead to a powerful yet aquiline palate offering roses, cherries, violets, spice, must and toastiness. The palate is long and the tannin finish fine. The acidity elevates the fruit. Exceptional. Learn More

Produced from Heirloom’s best Barossa Vineyard. Fruit is open fermented and basket pressed into French oak. This is a rich and concentrated Shiraz, with black fruits propelled along a tightrope of elegant acidity towards a fine tannin finish. Long and delicious. Learn More

High quality fruit from the Charleston vineyard is 30% whole bunch fermented and basket pressed into 20% brand new French oak for a year and a bit. A midweight Syrah, or Shiraz if you prefer, with dark and red fruits, plum and spice. Lovely Learn More

A relatively big and rich Grenache offering red fruits, woodsmoke and lavender on the nose. The palate is full, loaded with blackberries, red fruits, savoury aspects and herbs. Needs decanting or cellaring. Learn More

Another incredible Alcala Grenache – which has just picked up the Decanter World Wine Awards Grenache of the Year Trophy. First in a field of 89 entries from all over the world. Ripe plush fruits of strawberry and cherry without a hint of jamminess eats perfectly cedary French oak and gives you back this perfectly balanced and engaging, world-class wine. Learn More

Another spellbinding Alcala Grenache; estate grown and entirely sourced from the Firehawk Farm vineyard. Ripe plush fruits of dark cherries and strawberry. Plenty of punchy, exaggerated aromatics from the high % of whole bunch in the ferment and a significant whack of new French oak. Brimming with life, bold, yet nuanced of fruit and just gorgeous. Learn More

This is top end Coonawarra Cab done right. A grade vines are hand tended, the fruit bunch sorted, open fermented, basket pressed and put into superb French oak for a couple of years. Red fruits, mulberries, bramble, olives, dried herbs are all in the mix. The palate is extremely powerful, textural, intense and long. An exceptional, single vineyard Coonawarra Cab. Learn More