2009 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial
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Tasting notes
This is expressive, with aromas of dried flowers, eucalyptus and hints of smoke and violets. Medium- to full-bodied, it shows balance and completeness, with all elements in harmony. There is depth of fruit, length, and a seamless structure. The finish is elegant and ethereal, supported by concentration and precise, finely polished tannins. 81% tempranillo and 19% mazuelo. Already approachable, but it will continue to age gracefully. Drink or hold.
Critic scores
Average Score
Luis Gutiérrez, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
From a warmer vintage, the 2009 Castillo Ygay (81% Tempranillo, 19% Mazuelo) is more forward and already feels “made,” with oak at the front. Cedar and sandalwood lead, followed by mature, dried fruit—dried plum, a soft maraschino-cherry note—while the tertiary register is less visible because the wine reads oddly primary for its age. It still has real tannic grip and a sense of richness, and the overall profile is more overt. This is drinking well now.
81% Tempranillo, 19% Mazuelo. Vineyards from La Plana, a small plot surrounding the better-known Finca Ygay (Logroño), at 485 m. Old bush vines managed by precision viticulture. Made only in exceptional years. Hand-harvested, bunches are destemmed and alcoholic fermentation took place by variety in stainless-steel vats. Ageing for 26 months in barrels of 225-litre American oak for Tempranillo and French oak for Mazuelo. 109,045 bottles. Garnet without being tawny yet. Everything is integrated and very well done, so it clearly has a long life ahead. It holds the fruit intensity. Very promising. Its fine texture is great, with complexity and forest-floor sensations. Polished tannins over layers of fruit. It is young for a 10-year-old! It has not yet developed any tertiary notes. Amazing potential. I am moved by it! (FC)
Marqués de Murrieta didn't produce their top red in 2008, so I tasted the 2009 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial. In 2009, the final blend was Tempranillo with 19% Mazuelo (or Cariñena), one of the highest percentages of Mazuelo ever. The grapes are now sourced from the La Plana vineyard within the Ygay estate, one of the higher-altitude plots at 485 meters. The grapes fermented and aged separately, the Tempranillo in American oak barrels and the Mazuelo in French barriques for 26 months, given its power. It has that seriousness, character and somehow rusticity of the Mazuelo, austere, harmonious and still young. It has good depth and concentration, still young and lively with fine tannins and a backbone of freshness that lifts it up. It will develop for a very long time in bottle. This is a great classical Rioja for the long haul. 109,000 bottles and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in October 2014. The prices are increasing but so is the quality. The following vintages will be 2010, 2011 and possibly 2012. I cannot wait to taste them...