2015 Primer Rose
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Tasting notes
100% Mazuelo from the La Plana vineyard that is home to Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial. The first rosé produced by the estate in over a decade. Pale pink with a slight salmon tinge. Spends forty days on the lees, imparting a gentle toasty note to the strawberry, raspberry, red cherry and herbal complexity of the nose. Full-bodied on the palate, the fruit is pure rather than candied, flecked through with satsuma, almond and vanilla cream, and a long crisp and refreshing finish. Aug 2016, F+R
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Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
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Sadly, the old Rosé from Murrieta was discontinued in 1987. It was resumed in 2015, but with a very different profile. The 2015 Primer Rosé is produced exclusively with the grape that in Rioja is called Mazuelo, which is nothing other than Cariñena. 2015 was a very early and warm vintage in Rioja. The grapes were destemmed and pressed, and the must put to ferment slowly in stainless steel tanks; it did not undergo malolactic and was kept in contact with the fine lees for 40 days. It has a peachy nose with aromas of roses, clean and perfumed. The palate is fresh and lively, nicely textured, elegant, focused and clean. This has to be one of the few Rosés produced with Cariñena grapes. It's great to see quality Rosé being produced again. The price is another story. 5,000 bottles.