Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva 2016
Marqués de Murrieta Gran Reserva 2016 is a definitive example of high-altitude traditional Rioja, produced exclusively from the Ygay Estate in Rioja Alta.
This estate is one of the oldest in Spain, having been founded in 1852 by Luciano de Murrieta. The winery's philosophy centers on a deep respect for its 300-hectare Ygay Estate, where vineyards are situated between 320 and 485 metres in altitude. The Gran Reserva is only produced in exceptional years, representing a meticulous selection of fruit designed for extraordinary longevity. This 2016 vintage marks a milestone for the estate as it was crafted during a period of significant modernization, including the completion of a new gravity-fed winery facility.
Wine Description
The 2016 vintage presents a deep ruby-red hue with garnet highlights. The sensory profile is remarkably complex and focused, offering a layered bouquet of black cherries, plums, black olives, and autumn leaves, alongside refined hints of Earl Grey tea, graphite, and cocoa powder. On the palate, the wine is medium-to-full-bodied and harmonious, exhibiting a "sleek" texture with fine-grained, chalky tannins. It is characterized by its vibrant freshness, savory depth, and a long, fragrant finish featuring nuances of red licorice and dried lavender.
The blend for 2016 consists of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, and 8% Mazuelo. To achieve its "Gran Reserva" status, the wine underwent a patient maturation process: it was aged for 26 months in 225-liter American oak barrels, followed by an additional three years in the bottle before its commercial release. This wine has an ABV of 14% and possesses the structural integrity to age gracefully through 2036 and beyond.
96 Points – James Suckling: "Aromas of black berries, black olives, black truffles, autumn leaves and earth... Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a complex and complete finish."
Food Pairing
This Gran Reserva is a classic partner for robust and savory cuisine. It pairs ideally with roasted lamb, braised beef short ribs, and feathered game. The wine’s bright acidity and integrated tannins also make it a superb match for refined Iberian charcuterie and aged hard cheeses like sharp cheddar or Manchego.
Vintage Quality
The 2016 vintage in Rioja is regarded as a "finesse-driven" year due to cooler growing conditions compared to the preceding 2015. While the season produced a larger crop, the grapes for the Gran Reserva were harvested in mid-October at optimal phenolic ripeness. This resulted in wines with higher aromatic precision and a more elegant, subtle character, widely considered by critics as a vintage that favors balance and longevity over raw power
Marqués de Murrieta Gran Reserva 2016 is a definitive example of high-altitude traditional Rioja, produced exclusively from the Ygay Estate in Rioja Alta.
This estate is one of the oldest in Spain, having been founded in 1852 by Luciano de Murrieta. The winery's philosophy centers on a deep respect for its 300-hectare Ygay Estate, where vineyards are situated between 320 and 485 metres in altitude. The Gran Reserva is only produced in exceptional years, representing a meticulous selection of fruit designed for extraordinary longevity. This 2016 vintage marks a milestone for the estate as it was crafted during a period of significant modernization, including the completion of a new gravity-fed winery facility.
Wine Description
The 2016 vintage presents a deep ruby-red hue with garnet highlights. The sensory profile is remarkably complex and focused, offering a layered bouquet of black cherries, plums, black olives, and autumn leaves, alongside refined hints of Earl Grey tea, graphite, and cocoa powder. On the palate, the wine is medium-to-full-bodied and harmonious, exhibiting a "sleek" texture with fine-grained, chalky tannins. It is characterized by its vibrant freshness, savory depth, and a long, fragrant finish featuring nuances of red licorice and dried lavender.
The blend for 2016 consists of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, and 8% Mazuelo. To achieve its "Gran Reserva" status, the wine underwent a patient maturation process: it was aged for 26 months in 225-liter American oak barrels, followed by an additional three years in the bottle before its commercial release. This wine has an ABV of 14% and possesses the structural integrity to age gracefully through 2036 and beyond.
96 Points – James Suckling: "Aromas of black berries, black olives, black truffles, autumn leaves and earth... Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a complex and complete finish."
Food Pairing
This Gran Reserva is a classic partner for robust and savory cuisine. It pairs ideally with roasted lamb, braised beef short ribs, and feathered game. The wine’s bright acidity and integrated tannins also make it a superb match for refined Iberian charcuterie and aged hard cheeses like sharp cheddar or Manchego.
Vintage Quality
The 2016 vintage in Rioja is regarded as a "finesse-driven" year due to cooler growing conditions compared to the preceding 2015. While the season produced a larger crop, the grapes for the Gran Reserva were harvested in mid-October at optimal phenolic ripeness. This resulted in wines with higher aromatic precision and a more elegant, subtle character, widely considered by critics as a vintage that favors balance and longevity over raw power
Description
Marqués de Murrieta Gran Reserva 2016 is a definitive example of high-altitude traditional Rioja, produced exclusively from the Ygay Estate in Rioja Alta.
This estate is one of the oldest in Spain, having been founded in 1852 by Luciano de Murrieta. The winery's philosophy centers on a deep respect for its 300-hectare Ygay Estate, where vineyards are situated between 320 and 485 metres in altitude. The Gran Reserva is only produced in exceptional years, representing a meticulous selection of fruit designed for extraordinary longevity. This 2016 vintage marks a milestone for the estate as it was crafted during a period of significant modernization, including the completion of a new gravity-fed winery facility.
Wine Description
The 2016 vintage presents a deep ruby-red hue with garnet highlights. The sensory profile is remarkably complex and focused, offering a layered bouquet of black cherries, plums, black olives, and autumn leaves, alongside refined hints of Earl Grey tea, graphite, and cocoa powder. On the palate, the wine is medium-to-full-bodied and harmonious, exhibiting a "sleek" texture with fine-grained, chalky tannins. It is characterized by its vibrant freshness, savory depth, and a long, fragrant finish featuring nuances of red licorice and dried lavender.
The blend for 2016 consists of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, and 8% Mazuelo. To achieve its "Gran Reserva" status, the wine underwent a patient maturation process: it was aged for 26 months in 225-liter American oak barrels, followed by an additional three years in the bottle before its commercial release. This wine has an ABV of 14% and possesses the structural integrity to age gracefully through 2036 and beyond.
96 Points – James Suckling: "Aromas of black berries, black olives, black truffles, autumn leaves and earth... Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a complex and complete finish."
Food Pairing
This Gran Reserva is a classic partner for robust and savory cuisine. It pairs ideally with roasted lamb, braised beef short ribs, and feathered game. The wine’s bright acidity and integrated tannins also make it a superb match for refined Iberian charcuterie and aged hard cheeses like sharp cheddar or Manchego.
Vintage Quality
The 2016 vintage in Rioja is regarded as a "finesse-driven" year due to cooler growing conditions compared to the preceding 2015. While the season produced a larger crop, the grapes for the Gran Reserva were harvested in mid-October at optimal phenolic ripeness. This resulted in wines with higher aromatic precision and a more elegant, subtle character, widely considered by critics as a vintage that favors balance and longevity over raw power
