Muga Reserva Rioja Half Bottle 2018

Bodegas Muga Reserva, Half Bottle, Rioja, Spain, 2018

Grapes: A blend of Tempranillo 70%, Garnacha 20%, Mazuelo and Graciano 10%

This Muga Reserva Rioja has a bright ruby-red colour with medium depth and a garnet rim. Intense and complex on the nose, where you can find primary fruit aromas of raspberry and blackberry, secondary aromas of vanilla and liquorice and a subtle hint of tertiary aromas such as chocolate and ripe fruit. Very well-balanced on the palate, with good acidity and soft tannins. The finish is long and fruity. Perfect for enjoying now, but also thanks to its great balance and structure, a wine you can lay down for a number of years.

"Textbook stuff from the extensive Muga family, this is a pan-regional cuvée of Tempranillo with 30% Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo, aged in a combination of French and American oak. Youthful, structured and showing the freshness of the cooler, more “Atlantic” 2018 vintage, it’s good to drink now but will also reward some extra time in your wine rack. Textured and balanced, with racy acidity and flavours of liquorice, blackberry and vanilla spice."

"Wine of the week" by Tim Atkin MW 93/100 points, 13th January 2023.

Also awarded 91/100 points by the "Guia Penin", May 2022

Bodegas Muga is one of the most traditional producers in Rioja Alta with a 90 year history of winemaking. With harvesting by hand, natural indigenous yeast fermentation in wooden vats, ageing for 24 months in oak barrels (80% French & 20% American), egg white fining before bottling followed by a minimum of 12 months' cellar ageing before release, these are wines to be savoured.