August 7, 2023 - Young, rich black cherry with cloves and ginger,. Nice length. A-
August 6, 2023 - Drank at Copake last week. Shocked how well this wine has held up. Obviously showing signs of its age, but youthful aromas of cherries, spice and herbs. Same notes on the palate, along with some remaining oak and vibrant acidity. Lots of sediment here, so worth decanting for that reason alone. Hoping I still have another one of these lying around.
October 2, 2021 - Really a beautiful aged Rioja that's still youthful and with a bit of vanilla oak left to resolve. Delicious black cherry fruit with a fine floral quality that gives way to a complex finish with notes of vanilla, black spices and a hint of mint. This is aging quite well. 92+
October 1, 2021 - really enjoyed this. Midbodied but with long intense finish, perfumed with spice and candied orange on nose. On palate clean black plum fruit, earth, leather, and spice. A-
September 25, 2021 - "This is a wine I imagine people make in prison" (Chicago, IL): Clearly a nose of American oak, but without that polish that you get from La Rioja Alta. There's a little bit of sweat here as well, something that I sometimes confuse with TCA (lots of Rioja smells corked to me). The palate is quite compelling though; the fruit is silky and still young, with a slight vanilla sweetness that is counterbalanced by more of the earthy tones. Very good depth and complexity; I liked this very much.
July 9, 2021 - Hmm... third vintage of Muga's Prado Enea I have tried (after 78 and 95) and third time unimpressed. Must be one of those wines which I simply do not get... Having said that and reading some of the (raving) reviews below it seems as if I am having a completely different wine in the glass altogether. Only Acyso in 2017, seems to have had the same wine as I am having now.
Back to what I am drinking... First bottle from an OWC and in perfect condition (fill 0.5cm). Unlike some of the mentioned comments below, this is definitively not bricking or maroon, it is a transparent garnet almost to the clear rim. Also not a classic Rioja style in my eyes: dark fruit, bay leaf, earthy notes. Round but not rich, with nicely integrated tannins. Fairly short finish.
Seems fully mature but not past peak.
Overall a solid and well made wine but nothing complex or particularly aromatic. The reference to Burgundy I can partially follow when it comes to weight and texture, but certainly not when it comes to flavor profile and aromatics.
May 16, 2021 - Drinking incredibly well. Youthful in color, aroma, and on the palate with notes of dark cherry, bay leaf, hints of roasted tomatoes, and layers of spice. The acidity is pretty high, so this will definitely go well with food, but it was also great on its own. Very classic Rioja style that still has many years left.
November 27, 2020 - Remarkable. Well described by others.
November 4, 2020 - Post Election ""Drink Your Mood" Tasting...No Orange Wine (House of Nanda - Chicago IL): Very impressive, this ran the risk of getting lost in a sea of great Grand Cru Burgundy, but easily held its own. Red cherry and plum are maturing gracefully and elegantly with enough of a combination with woodsy spice, earth and meat to come across as complex and elegant. Very classic Rioja style.
October 17, 2020 - 29 y/o wine. Very smooth tannins. Probably past peak with fruit somewhat subdued. Still quite pleasurable.