Muga - Rioja Selección Especial 2019

Muga - Rioja Selección Especial  is only produced in top years and in varying quantities depending on the conditions of each vintage. The wine is the result of a strict selection of the family's oldest plots planted on hillsides and higher altitude sites that have poorer soils. These conditions result in lower yields and higher quality fruit. In the cellar, vinification is similar to flagship Reserva bottling, but Selección Especial sees a higher quality oak treatment, longer ageing, and a final barrel selection.

This wine comes from estate vineyards (65%) and vineyards leased on long term contracts, with viticulture controlled by the winery, in the foothills of the Montes Obarenes and the Sierra Cantabria, primarily in the northwestern villages of Rioja Alta. The blend is 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 7% Mazuelo, 3% Graciano.

Traditional Rioja viticulture that is sustainable and organic, but not certified. A blend of goblet trained and vineyards planted on high density trellises of Rioja's most classic varieties. The vineyards are not irrigated and are farmed without the use of harmful chemically synthesized fungicides, pesticides or herbicides.

The aging process begins with six months in new French barrique, followed by two full years in older French and American (70/30) oak barriques. These barrels are aged and coopered on Muga's premises. Muga was the first winery in Spain to have an in-house cooperage. The wines are racked throughout the ageing process and fined with fresh egg whites (cracked by hand) before bottling. The wine is aged for a minimum of 18 months in bottle before release.

"The subtle and harmonious 2019 Selección Especial reflects a very complete and good vintage. It has to be one of the finest vintages for this wine. 2019 is a powerful vintage with balance and freshness. The grapes ripened thoroughly and developed a full set of aromas and flavors. It's complex and nuanced, with abundant, fine-grained tannins and a long, dry and tasty finish. Selección applies to the vineyards but also the barrels and everything that contributes to this wine; it's not only a selection of lots, which was the case before the 1994 vintage." - 95 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Fresh and demure nose with lots of cocoa powder, blackcurrants, blackberries and a hint of cigar and charcoal. Excellent depth and class here with a very juicy center palate. Medium to full body with a long and layered finish." - 95 points, James Suckling

Producer: Muga 

Country: Spain

Region: La Rioja

Varietal: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo

Appellation: Rioja

Vintage: 2019

Size: 750ml