Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva 2021

Critical Acclaim: 96 pts Decanter; 96 pts Jeb Dunnuck; 95 pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate; 94 pts James Suckling; 94 pts View From the Cellar; 94 pts Vinous; 93 pts Wine Spectator.

About the Winery: Marqués de Murrieta was established in 1852 and is rooted in the 741-acre Ygay Estate in Rioja Alta. The winery balances Rioja tradition with exacting modern cellar work.

About the Wine: The 2021 blends 86% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha. After an eight-day fermentation in stainless steel, it aged for 26 months in 225-liter American oak and a further year and a half in bottle.

Winemaker's Tasting Notes: This new vintage of Marqués de Murrieta Reserva presents itself with immediate and refined elegance. On the nose, notes of ripe red fruit and liquorice stand out, harmonised with delicate hints of chocolate liqueur. On the palate, it displays a balanced, meaty and rounded profile, with a pleasant acidity that blends naturally with firm tannins, giving way to a long and persistent aftertaste.

“Elegant yet perfectly structured, this is the most floral of the Murrieta Reservas I’ve tasted in recent years.” - Decanter.

“Even more outstanding than the 2020, the incredibly priced 2021 Reserva is young in boisterous blue fruit, with a generous, full-bodied palate of richness and upfront power.” - Jeb Dunnuck.

“It's very spicy, peppery, with a combination of berry fruit and some incipient tertiary aromas, hints of forest floor and truffle.” - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.

“This shows vibrant cherries, spiced plums, blue fruit and superb balance with well-hidden oak.” - James Suckling.

“Sweet dark berries, cassis, Cuban cigar wrapper, a beautiful base of chalky soil tones, a dollop of Rioja spice tones, woodsmoke and a refined framing of American oak.” - View From the Cellar.

“The complex nose offers cherry, traces of camphor and cassis, dried flowers and blood orange.” - Vinous.

“Upfront fruits, cassis, black cherry, and bramble gain layers of spice, molasses, and savory pleasure.” - Wine Spectator.

Serving Suggestion: Decant for about 20 minutes and serve at 59 to 61°F with lamb chops, roast pork, grilled meats or aged Manchego.

Varietal: 86% Tempranillo; 8% Graciano; 4% Mazuelo; 2% Garnacha.