This is one of the classic benchmark wines of Rioja, produced by Marques de Murrieta, one of the region’s most historic estates, founded in 1852. The house is known for combining traditional Rioja ageing with a more polished, modern precision, placing it firmly in the top tier of Spanish producers. The wine is made primarily from Tempranillo, with small proportions of other authorised Rioja varieties such as Graciano, Mazuelo, and Garnacha used to build complexity. Fruit is sourced from estate vineyards around the Ygay property, giving a more controlled and consistent expression of the house style.
As a Gran Reserva, it follows strict ageing requirements - extended time in oak followed by additional bottle ageing before release. In practice, Murrieta often exceeds these minimums, resulting in a wine that is fully mature, integrated, and ready to drink on release, while still capable of further ageing. The winemaking approach balances tradition and refinement. Oak ageing is central to the style, but it is handled in a way that supports the wine rather than dominating it, allowing both structure and elegance to come through. Within Rioja, this sits in the classic Gran Reserva category, where the emphasis is on harmony, development, and longevity rather than fruit intensity. It reflects a style that values time, balance, and composure, rather than immediate impact.
The wine stands as a reference point for traditional Rioja, showing how extended ageing can produce depth and finesse without heaviness.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Dried cherry, plum, leather, and spice with hints of tobacco
Palate:
Smooth and structured, with mature fruit, oak, and savoury complexity
Finish:
Long and elegant, with integrated tannins and a persistent, refined close
Vintage 2015: This was a vintage from a warmer year, which benefited the higher altitude vineyards at Marques de Murrieta. A short, early harvest, with small berries, produced wines with concentration and richness, backed with a line of acidity.
