Bodegas Muga Reserva 2019

`Critical Acclaim: 94 pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate; 94 pts James Suckling; 92 pts Wine Enthusiast; 91 pts Wine Spectator.

About the Winery: The Muga family has 420 hectares of vineyards, and they do not use herbicides or insecticides.  Bodegas Muga is Rioja Alta’s premier producer and the Muga family are unanimously considered to be one of Spain’s most important winemaking families. The winery has practically legendary status due to its philosophy revolving around adherence to tradition, dynamism, and winemaking of the highest quality. Indeed, it is the only wine cellar in Spain which employs its own master cooper and coopers, who make all the vats for the cellar as well as the oak casks. Few producers in the world fashion wines that have such a sense of tradition and place as Muga’s. 

Winemaker's Tasting Notes: "This 2019 reserva wine has a bright, ruby-red colour, with medium depth and a garnet tinged rim. On the nose it proves to be a wine which is complex in aroma, in which primary aromas of fruit such as blueberries are enhanced by spicy nuances. On the palate it is long, balanced and elegant, with perfectly integrated acidity and smooth tannins. The finish is very long and fruity. Perfect to drink now but thanks to its great balance and structure it can be kept in the bottle for several more years."

"The 2019 Reserva, sold as Crianza in Spain, comes from a dry and warm year with low yields and concentrated wines. The grapes from the Haro zone, the four from Rioja, Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano fermented destemmed and lightly crushed in oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and 80% of the volume matured in French oak and the rest in Centro European and American oak, 20% of them new, for 22 months, during which time the wine was racked every eight to nine months. This is serious and young but balanced, nuanced and complex. They are shortening the time in oak, as they feel they have better and younger barrels and think the wines need less time in oak and more time in bottle. This is very Muga, very Rioja and very good."- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. 

"This is a structured and linear Muga Reserva with a creamy and fine-tannined backbone and graphite, cherry, plum and black-truffle character. Medium-bodied, racy and beautiful. 70% tempranillo, 20% grenache and 10% mazuelo and graciano. Delicious now, but will age beautifully in the cellar." -James Suckling.

"This deep-hued wine has a bouquet of black plum, cinnamon stick and citrus zest. Black cherry, pomegranate, milk chocolate, violet, caramel and eucalyptus flavors are wrapped in a sheath of velvety tannins that endure on the tongue and gums with a light floral note. "- Wine Enthusiast.

"A harmonious red, medium-bodied and lightly juicy, layering light, creamy tannins with a pretty range of black cherry reduction, mocha, pomegranate puree and eucalyptus notes. Fresh, focused finish. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. Drink now through 2028."- Wine Spectator.

Varietal: 70% tempranillo, 20% grenache and 10% mazuelo and graciano.