2018 Bodegas Muriel Rioja Reserva [JS92]

Producer: Bodegas Muriel 
Region: Rioja, Spain 
Varietal: Tempranillo 
Year: 2018  

James Suckling, 92 Points 

"A perfumed nose of dark cherry, plum, coconut, cedar and dried thyme. Full-bodied with chewy tannins. Rich and structured with a chalky texture and a firm, delicious finish. Better from 2022." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"Bright red cherry color of medium intensity. Intense, deep and complex aromas of ripe red fruits, combined with aromas from the barrel aging (spices, coffee and vanilla). On the palate, it is balanced and elegant, with a high level of freshness and a long, deep and pleasant finish." 

About the Winemaking: 

"Selected grapes from Rioja, Alavesa and Alta vineyards (In and around Elciego). Soils are a very poor, chalky type with a clayish-sandy texture. The vines have a medium age between 35-40 years and are grown using the traditional 'gobelet' system. Twenty days of fermentation and maceration in stainless steel, temperature-controlled vats with daily pump-overs in order to achieve the optimum color and tannic extraction. Malolactic fermentation is conducted in stainless steel tanks and then the wine is racked twice before going into oak barrels. The wine is aged in half American and half French oak barrels (30% new) for 24 months. There is further bottle aging for one year prior to release." 

Alcohol: 14.5% 

*Price and availability in store may vary. Vintage date may differ from pictured.