2015 Rioja Gran Reserva, Finca Ygay, Marqués de Murrieta
One of the most classical names in Rioja
£240 per 6 bottle case in bond
Yesterday we had the pleasure of opening a few bottles as a team with the aim of unearthing some interesting new wines to offer you. After diligently tasting our way through a dozen or so bottles, we were all in agreement that the standout wine of the day was undoubtedly the 2015 Rioja Gran Reserva, Finca Ygay from Marqués de Murrieta offered here at £240 per 6 bottle case in bond.
Marqués de Murrieta dates back to 1852 and its vineyards are located on the 741-acre Ygay Estate, located in Rioja Alta at roughly 450 meters above sea level. The Finca Ygay Gran Reserva 2015 is a limited edition wine, only made in the very best vintages and from a strict barrel selection. It comprises a blend of fully destemmed Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano, each variety vinified separately and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for 8-10 days before a gentle pressing and 27 months ageing in 225 litre American oak barrels leading to a classically styled Rioja of incredibly pure fruit supported by beautifully balanced and silky tannins.
This wine has been widely reviewed by many of the world's top wine critics, who have awarded it a range of great scores. Whilst some have highlighted its powerful tannins and structure, what really struck us, in contrast, was its bright fruit character, crunchy vibrant acidity and smooth texture, with a delicate touch of vanilla on the finish. This is not your generic, fruit-forward, oak bomb that the region had sadly too often become known for in the past. What we have is here a wine that embraces all that is great about modern day Rioja with its attention to fruit quality and to increasing the purity and silkiness that is possible in best wines from this historic region; avoiding the excess oak of the past while maintaining a subtle and well judge nod to some of the incredible wines that have made the region such an iconic area of fine wine production.
To summarise, this wine seriously over-delivers for its price point. Whilst you can pull the cork and enjoy straight it away, it’s has enough depth and complexity to develop, and even improve with up to a decade in the cellar.
2015 Rioja Gran Reserva, Finca Ygay, Marqués de Murrieta
£240 per 6 bottle case in bond
94 points, Luis Gutiérrez - The Wine Advocate - July 2022
A barrel selection of the most age-worthy wines from the vintage, the 2015 Gran Reserva Limited Edition is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 9% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha from their 300 hectares of vineyards. The grapes were picked between the September 14 and October 16; the destemmed and lightly crushed grapes were fermented by plot and variety in stainless steel, and the varieties aged separately for 27 months in American barrels. Tasted next to the wines from 2018 and onward, this is a more powerful and concentrated wine, also because of the style of the vintage. The concept is to make a wine with more structure, power and aging potential. It's very classical with notes from the aging in American oak clearly recognizable, very spicy and tasty. The wine is medium to full-bodied and powerful but already developed by some time in bottle; it's spicy, tasty, chalky and still young with potential to age. Drink 2022-2032.
Please let us know if you'd like to take a case, or two.