2016 Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva

Rioja Alta. 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 8% Mazuelo. TA 5.4 g/l, RS 1.4 g/l. Pale crimson. Firmly structured with lively freshness and firm, chalky tannins. The fruit is rather restrained and dry. It is classic, if not exciting. (FG)

A barrel selection of the most age-worthy wines from the vintage make the 2016 Gran Reserva Limited Edition, this year a blend of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 8% Mazuelo selected from their 300 hectares of vineyards. The grapes were picked between October 10th and 18th. The destemmed and lightly crushed grapes were fermented by plot and variety in stainless steel, and the varieties were aged separately in American barrels for 26 months. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.56 and 5.4 grams of acidity. Tasting this in the context of the current vintages, it's clear that we're talking about a different era—more traditional, meatier, not as precise as other wines from more recent years, quite balsamic but with a solid palate, texture and balance, halfway between tradition and modernity. 67,045 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2019.

The 2016 Gran Reserva is a meticulously crafted blend of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 8% Mazuelo sourced from the esteemed Ygay Estate in Rioja Alta. It aged for up to 26 months in American oak barrels. This wine epitomizes the essence of Rioja reds when vineyard management and winemaking precision align with a distinct stylistic vision. Presenting an opaque garnet hue, it entices with a bouquet of complex aromas: plum marmalade, herbal undertones, maraschino cherry, dried fruits, licorice and subtle hints of balsamic and menthol. On the palate, it offers a dry and robust profile with a velvety, juicy texture. The finish is long, balanced and harmonious. The 2016 vintage exemplifies a wine crafted for aging, just beginning to reveal the nuances and intricacies of a bouquet that will evolve with time.