Claymore Carlos Serres Best Wines Under $50

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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We have long been fans of Claymore. The Dark Side of the Moon is their best and most underpriced wine, offering spice, dark fruits, raspberries, concentration, and plenty of fine tannins. As always, there is a smoothness and polish to this wine which belies its sub $30 price point. Learn More

Claymore have a habit of producing excellent Riesling and that habit is no danger here. Displaying everything you’d want in a young Riesling, lifted aromatics, crisp acidity and succulent lime. A silky palate that extends to a long dry finish just leaves you wanting more. Learn More