Muga - Rioja Selección Especial 2020

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.

“From a slightly more challenging year for the region, the 2020 Muga Selección Especial checks in as 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and the rest Graciano and Mazuelo that's aged six months in new French barrique, followed by two full years in older French and American (70/30) oak barriques. Rocking levels of cassis and black raspberry-like fruit as well as graphite, spicy wood, violets, and lead pencil notes all shine on the nose, and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a round, layered mouthfeel, and silky tannins. It's already hard to resist.” - 95 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

“Mint, blackberries, cocoa powder, graphite, black pepper and roasted dark spices. Full-bodied and juicy, with lots of tannins that are quite sinewy and fine-grained. Really long. Needs at least two more years to come around. Tempranillo, garnacha, mazuelo and graciano. Drink after 2026.” - 94 Points, James Suckling

“Hints of smoke, dark chocolate and loamy earth underscore a rich core of ripe black plum and mulberry fruit, with rose hip, iron and macchia notes. This is tightly meshed and fresh, opening nicely in the glass and showing good tension and chalky tannins on the well-spiced finish. Enjoy this today, but it should really shine with a little cellaring. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. Best from 2026 through 2034. 20,000 cases made, 6,000 cases imported.” - 93 Points, Wine Spectator

Producer: Muga 

Country: Spain

Region: La Rioja

Varietal: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo

Appellation: Rioja

Vintage: 2020

Size: 750ml