Castillo Ygay Rioja Gran Reserva Especial 2011 750 ML

Extremely well-mannered, traditional character to this, showing layer upon layer of savory complexity on the nose, with iron, dried meat, tobacco, balsamic fruit, dried red berries, orange peel, leather and dried mushrooms. A medium-to full-bodied, linear and zesty Rioja that’s full of nuanced flavors that linger through the very long, savory finish. Floral, too. Yet, it remains bright and precise. Tempranillo with 16% mazuelo.
Producer Information
Marqués de Murrieta is one of the most famous estates in the Rioja region of Spain. It is one of the more traditional houses in Rioja, and is best known for its Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, a Tempranillo-dominant wine with a small amount of Mazuelo. On top of this, Marqués de Murrieta makes a range of other wines in the region, including a varietal Mazuelo and a premium white Rioja. The company was founded in 1852 by Luciano de Murrieta, and has been owned by the Cebrián-Sagarriga family since 1983. The winery is located to the east of Logroño, which at the time of construction was within the Rioja Oriental (Rioja Baja) area. However, it was felt that Murrieta could not be allowed to belong in what was considered an inferior subregion, so the boundary was moved. Today, the estate is located in its own enclave of La Rioja Alta. Marqués de Murrieta’s wines are made from estate-grown fruit. The vineyards total 300 hectares (740 acres) and are located between 400 and 500 meters (1,300-1,600 feet) above sea level. The Castillo Ygay wine is sourced from an individual plot in the vineyard, as is the estate’s other top wine, the modern style Dalmau Reserva made from Tempranillo with Cabernet Sauvignon and Graciano. The Castillo Ygay is aged for 30 months in American oak barriques,while the Dalmau sees 19 months in French oak. A range of other wines are made at Marqués de Murrieta, covering both the Reserva and Gran Reserva designations. These include the Marqués de Murrieta Reserva, which spends 21 months in American oak, and the Capellania Reserva Blanco, a Viura fermented in stainless steel then aged for 17 months in new French oak. Murrieta also owns Pazo Barrantes, a producer of Albariño in the Rias Baixas appellation of Galicia.