Marques de Murrieta Limited Selection Rioja Finca Ygay Gran Reserva 2016

In Short

A Rioja Gran Reserva of dark cherry and leather, aged to silky refinement, from Spain's oldest classified producer.

Quick Facts

• Region: Rioja Alavesa, Spain
• Vineyard: Finca Ygay
• Variety: Tempranillo
• Style: Full-bodied red
• Best For: Special occasions, cellar-worthy

Why We Stock It

Marques de Murrieta has been making Rioja since 1852, and their Gran Reserva carries the weight of that history without leaning on it. This 2016 shows what extended age in oak and bottle does for Tempranillo: the tannins have softened to silk, and the wine has developed the cedar and tobacco notes that come with time. It is a wine for someone who wants to taste how Rioja ages.

Tasting Profile

Elegant and structured, with the leathery depth of mature Tempranillo.

• Aroma: Dark cherry, leather, tobacco, subtle oak and spice
• Palate: Ripe red fruits, cedar, earthy minerality, silky tannins
• Structure & Finish: Full body, refined tannins, long finish with lingering complexity

Winemaking

The wine is made from Tempranillo grown on the Finca Ygay estate and aged in oak for an extended period before additional bottle age. Gran Reserva designation requires a minimum of two years in oak and three in bottle, and this wine has received considerably more.

Serving & Pairing

Serve at 62 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. No decanting is needed at this stage of maturity. This wine suits a grilled ribeye or lamb shoulder as much as it does aged hard cheeses like Manchego. The cedar and earthy notes complement roasted mushrooms and root vegetables, and the silky structure makes it work equally well at the dinner table and as a meditation on its own.

The Estate

Marques de Murrieta is a family-owned estate in Rioja Alavesa that has been in operation for over 170 years. They are growers and winemakers, farming their own vineyards and focusing on traditional methods and long-term cellaring potential.

Terroir

Rioja Alavesa, on the northern bank of the Ebro River, has cooler nights and higher altitude than the western regions of Rioja, which allows Tempranillo to develop complexity and structure. The clay and limestone soils contribute minerality and aging potential. The 2016 vintage was a warm year that produced concentrated fruit, and the wine has evolved into its elegant phase after nearly a decade in bottle.