Marques de Murrieta - Rioja Gran Reserva 2016

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. The Rioja region is located in Northern Spain on both banks of the Ebro River, providing exceptional natural conditions for the cultivation of vineyards. 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 Rioja Alta in the middle of the beautiful Ygay Estate, a unique 740-acre 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.

Grape varieties are vinified separately. Previously destemmed, the grapes ferment in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Fermentation takes between 8 and 12 days during which, pumping over and punching down operations are regularly carried out to ensure the contact between juice and skins. Afterwards, the solid parts of the grapes are squashed in a vertical press, by a gentle process that extracts color and ripe tannins from the grape skins. 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 8% Mazuelo, aged 26 months in 225-liter American oak barrels.

"The 2016 Gran Reserva is a meticulously crafted blend of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 8% Mazuelo sourced from the esteemed Ygay Estate in Rioja Alta. It aged for up to 26 months in American oak barrels. This wine epitomizes the essence of Rioja reds when vineyard management and winemaking precision align with a distinct stylistic vision. Presenting an opaque garnet hue, it entices with a bouquet of complex aromas: plum marmalade, herbal undertones, maraschino cherry, dried fruits, licorice and subtle hints of balsamic and menthol. On the palate, it offers a dry and robust profile with a velvety, juicy texture. The finish is long, balanced and harmonious. The 2016 vintage exemplifies a wine crafted for aging, just beginning to reveal the nuances and intricacies of a bouquet that will evolve with time." - 96 Points, Vinous

"A barrel selection of the most age-worthy wines from the vintage make the 2016 Gran Reserva Limited Edition this year a blend of 82% Tempranillo 10% Graciano and 8% Mazuelo selected from their 300 hectares of vineyards. The grapes were picked between October 10th and 18th. The destemmed and lightly crushed grapes were fermented by plot and variety in stainless steel and the varieties were aged separately in American barrels for 26 months. It has 14% alcohol a pH of 3.56 and 5.4 grams of acidity. Tasting this in the context of the current vintages it's clear that we're talking about a different era?more traditional meatier not as precise as other wines from more recent years quite balsamic but with a solid palate texture and balance halfway between tradition and modernity. 67045 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2019." - 94+ points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Poised and harmonious, with a generous range of plum sauce, chopped black cherry, Earl Grey tea, graphite and cola notes sculpted by fine, chalky tannins. Long and fragrant, this is fresh and focused on the palate, with appealing hints of cocoa powder, dried lavender and leather lingering on the finish. Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2036." - 93 Points, Wine Spectator

Producer: Marques de Murrieta

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Varietal: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo

Appellation: Rioja Gran Reserva

Vintage: 2016

Size: 750ml