The flagship red 2018 Rioja Reserva was produced with a blend of 86% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo (a.k.a. Cariñena) and 2% Garnacha selected from their 300 hectares of vineyards that exemplifies the character of the vintage and the place. 2018 was a year with good rain and a cool season that resulted in a late harvest, which started on October 1 and was slow and delivered grapes with good freshness. Each variety and plot fermented separately in stainless steel. and the wines aged separately in American oak barrels for 21 months and then settled in concrete until bottling. It follows the path of the 2016, where I noticed a change that is taken further in this, controlling the power and increasing the freshness. It's very aromatic, a year completely different from the 2017; it has less structure and more freshness and subtler balance and enough oomph, concentration and power neatly compensated by freshness. I believe 2018 was a very good vintage to implement this change. It's perfumed, fresh, elegant and medium-bodied, with a velvety texture. Superb!
Wine Spectator: 91 PointsFresh and elegant, with a mouthful of ripe, crushed cherry and red currant fruit, this medium-bodied red is framed by crisp tannins and a minerally underpinning. Enticing hints of eucalyptus, dried fig and cigar box play on the finish. Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha Tinta. Drink now through 2028.
A palpable example of the elegance, consistency and regularity that characterize Marqués de Murrieta winery. This wine shows the incredible personality of the Ygay Estate and summarizes perfectly what happens during a whole vegetative cycle.
Pair with grilled and baked scallop with red wine sauce and truffled liquid potato., twice-cooked sea bass, sweet onion, apple and foie mousse and fine velouté. Or with roast breast of Mallard duck, crispy potato and borage flower, soft cow's milk cheese and truffled Brie.
Tempranillo is a red wine grape variety originating from Spain and is widely planted across the country. It is particularly prominent in regions like Rioja and Ribera del Duero. Tempranillo wines are known for their versatility and the ability to showcase a wide range of flavors, including red berries, leather, tobacco, and vanilla. The grape imparts wines with moderate acidity and tannins, making them approachable yet capable of aging gracefully. Tempranillo is often blended with other grape varieties, and its expression can vary depending on the winemaking techniques and the region in which it is grown. Overall, Tempranillo wines are celebrated for their balance, complexity, and the ability to complement a variety of cuisines.
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