2011 Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva [JS99][WA96][WE96][JD95+][WS94]

Producer: Bodegas Muga  
Region: Rioja, Spain  
Blend: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Grenache, Mazuelo (Carignan) and Graciano 
Year: 2011 

James Suckling, 99 Points 

"The most structured Prado Enea ever. A reduced center palate that is so compact with dark fruit, dark mushrooms and cedary spice. Full body. Wonderfully polished tannins and a long, long finish. Electric acidity. Muscular and well toned. The is a new classic that reminds me of great Spanish wines from the 1940s and 1950s. Better after 2021, but already so impressive." 

Wine Advocate, 96 Points 

"The most classical of the wines from Muga, the 2011 Prado Enea Gran Reserva comes from a warm year that here was cooler than 2012, when they did not produce it. There won't be a 2013 either. So after this 2011, the following vintage will be 2014 but with fewer bottles and then 2015 and 2016. The wine has a developed nose with some tertiary notes, combined with some notes of ripe black fruit and sweet spices. It fees like an open, expressive and hedonistic year for Prado Enea. The palate reveals polished tannins and some balsamic and developed flavors, truffle, forest floor and hints of cigar ash and incense. Stylistically, this could be close to the 2006, which was also surprisingly fresh for the average ripeness found in Rioja in general. 92,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in early 2015 after almost 40 months in barrel. Time in bottle has polished the wine, and it's ready to drink on release, but it's a wine that is going to develop in bottle for a long time." 

Wine Enthusiast, 96 Points 

"Earthy plum and berry aromas set up a palate with plush tannins and multiple layers of depth. Befitting a hot year like 2011, dark berry and plum flavors are a bit gritty, while this exhibits fine shape on the finish and only gets better the longer it sits. Doubtless this is a delicious Rioja, maybe not the most complex Prado Enea of all time, but still a special wine from one of Spain’s best wineries. Decant if drinking now. Enjoy through 2035." 

Jeb Dunnuck, 95+ Points 

"The 2011 Prado Enea checks in as a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, Mazuelo that spent a full three years in oak, followed by three years in bottle before being released in May of 2019. It reveals a deep ruby/plum color as well as a closed, tight nose of blackcurrants, smoked earth, graphite, and Asian spices. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, has a layered, balanced texture, integrated tannins, and a great finish. It's holding things a little close to its vest at the moment, so I suspect 2-4 years of bottle age are warranted." 

Wine Spectator, 94 Points 

"Aromatic and alluring, this generous red offers forest floor, tobacco and floral notes that frame a core of black cherry, plum, licorice and orange peel flavors. Well-integrated tannins support the broad texture, and juicy acidity keeps this fresh through the spicy finish. Drink now through 2027." 

Alcohol: 14.5% 

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