2020 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva [JS94][WA94][WE92][WS91]

"This is a structured and linear Muga Reserva with a creamy and fine-tannined backbone and graphite, cherry, plum and black-truffle character. Medium-bodied, racy and beautiful. 70% tempranillo, 20% grenache and 10% mazuelo and graciano. Delicious now, but will age beautifully in the cellar." 

"The 2019 Reserva, sold as Crianza in Spain, comes from a dry and warm year with low yields and concentrated wines. The grapes from the Haro zone, the four from Rioja, Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano fermented destemmed and lightly crushed in oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and 80% of the volume matured in French oak and the rest in Centro European and American oak, 20% of them new, for 22 months, during which time the wine was racked every eight to nine months. This is serious and young but balanced, nuanced and complex. They are shortening the time in oak, as they feel they have better and younger barrels and think the wines need less time in oak and more time in bottle. This is very Muga, very Rioja and very good." 

Wine Enthusiast, 92 Points 

"This deep-hued wine has a bouquet of black plum, cinnamon stick and citrus zest. Black cherry, pomegranate, milk chocolate, violet, caramel and eucalyptus flavors are wrapped in a sheath of velvety tannins that endure on the tongue and gums with a light floral note." 

Wine Spectator, 91 Points 

"A fragrant red, with enticing tobacco, floral and cocoa powder accents to the flavors of plum sauce, crushed mulberry, tangerine peel and red licorice. This is fresh and focused, integrating chalky tannins. Spiced finish. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. Best from 2025 through 2035. 60,000 cases made, 15,000 cases imported." 

Winemaker Notes: 

"This 2019 Reserva has a bright, ruby-red color, with medium depth and a garnet tinged rim. On the nose it proves to be a wine which is complex in aroma, in which primary aromas of fruit such as blueberries are enhanced by spicy nuances. On the palate it is long, balanced and elegant, with perfectly integrated acidity and smooth tannins. The finish is very long and fruity."