Notes from the Winemaker:
Marqués de Murrieta is named after Luciano de Murrieta, one of the
founding fathers of modern Rioja winemaking, who established the estate
in 1852 in the world renowned Rioja region of Spain. Today V. Dalmau
Cebrián-Sagarriga, Count of Creixell, leads the family-owned company.
With a vision of innovation and respect for tradition, Marqués de
Murrieta is rooted in strong, historical fundamentals that shape the
vision and philosophy of this iconic Spanish brand. The winery is
settled near the southern tip of the Rioja Alta in the middle of the
beautiful Ygay Estate, a unique 300 hectare vineyard that guarantees
complete control over the grape source of the wines and is the key to
the quality and style of Marqués de Murrieta wines.
The personality and style of the vineyards located between 420 meters
to 500 meters above sea level of our 741-acre (300-hectare) Ygay Estate
are expressed in a single wine. Made from Tempranillo, Garnacha and
Mazuelo, this wine embodies ripe fruit qualities with a perfect balance
of acidity and supple roundness on the palate, and a hint of new oak.
Our Red Reserva is a traditional Rioja with the classic Murrieta
signature and enjoys all the benefits of modern winemaking philosophy,
equipment and techniques.
The grapes were first de-stemmed and then fermented in
temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for eight to 11 days with
constant skin contact at 25º C. During fermentation the wine was both
pumped over the cap of grape skins at the top of the tank (remontage)
and the cap was pressed into the fermenting wine every second day
(pigeage). Both those processes ensured maximum color and aroma without
producing excessive tannin. Afterwards the solid parts of the grapes
were pressed in vertical wooden presses with double screws. That
process is a smooth and slow treatment that favors the extraction of
the color and tannins that reside in the skin of the grapes.
84% Tempranillo, 13% Garnacha and 3% Mazuelo. 22 months in 225-liter American oak casks. 14% ABV.
What Does It Taste Like?
The Marqués de Murrieta Red Reserva pairs well with red meats and cured
ham as well as grilled fish and dishes with rich sauces. We recommend
you decant the wine half an hour before serving it at 16º to 18º C.
Ratings / Reviews:
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 91 Points:
"Bright red. Fresh red berry and spice aromas suggest a higher percentage of garnacha. Suave, energetic red berry flavors stain the palate, nicely braced by tangy mineral and spice qualities. The finish repeats the red fruit note and hangs on tenaciously." -Josh Raynolds, July 2009
Wine Enthusiast Magazine - 90 Points:"At first it seems closed and drawn, but with time this serious Rioja unveils toasty raspberry and mineral-tinged cola and plum aromas and flavors. There’s natural snap to the wine courtesy of bright natural acidity, but also some beef and body that manifests itself in a controlled creaminess that houses herbal, chocolaty finishing notes." - M.S. (6/1/2009)
