2011 Prado Enea Gran Reserva

The 2011 Prado Enea checks in as a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, Mazuelo that spent a full three years in oak, followed by three years in bottle before being released in May of 2019. It reveals a deep ruby/plum color as well as a closed, tight nose of blackcurrants, smoked earth, graphite, and Asian spices. It's rich, medium to full-bodied, has a layered, balanced texture, integrated tannins, and a great finish. It's holding things a little close to its vest at the moment, so I suspect 2-4 years of bottle age are warranted.

80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano. From vineyards on clay-limestone soils at an elevation of 550 m in the area of Villalba de Rioja. Fermentation took place in 100-hl oak vats and maceration lasted up to 20 days. Ageing for 12 months in 160-hl American oak vats followed by 36 months in mainly French oak barrels. Egg-white clarification and 36 months of further ageing. 2011 was a great year in Rioja and for that reason Muga decided to make this wine. Very open with a really expressive aromatic palate with evolution. Sweet spices, vanilla, nutmeg and smoke. It is a complex wine, with very molten tannins. It’s elegant and deep, very deep. Evolution dominates over fruitiness, but it is delicious anyway thanks to its truffle notes. A classic wine with a soft earthiness. Very expressive and representative of the best classic rioja wines. (FC)

The most structured Prado Enea ever. A reduced center palate that is so compact with dark fruit, dark mushrooms and cedary spice. Full body. Wonderfully polished tannins and a long, long finish. Electric acidity. Muscular and well toned. The is a new classic that reminds me of great Spanish wines from the 1940s and 1950s. Better after 2021, but already so impressive.