An Evening with Juan Muga

A fun evening with Juan Muga of Bodegas Muga, the Rioja powerhouse and a flagship of the Jorge Ordonez line. Juan was entertaining and informative. It is clear that Muga loves oak, because all of their wines (including whites and roses) use plenty of it! Beautiful reds, a couple of which are tightly wound at this stage. Joined with Jon, Alison and Brian tonight.

• NV Bodegas Muga Cava Conde de Haro Brut 89 Points

  Spain, Cava

  Green apple, some grapefruit and a richness and oak character. More expressive than average Cava and has some tannins.

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• 2009 Bodegas Muga Rioja Blanco 88 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Lemon notes, with a little bit of lees richness, slight vegetal and some tropical notes. Med weight on the palate. Neither particularly crisp nor rich, and thus a pleasing but ultimately forgetful experience. I might be too high with the score here.

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• 2010 Bodegas Muga Rioja Rosado 86 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Fresh strawberry fruits, some cream and plenty of light fruitiness. Low acidity for a rose sipper. Not bad but there are many better for the same price.

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• 2007 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva 90 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Bright and some dried red cherry fruit, leather, meatiness and game notes. Also a lovely violet and some light dill. This is beautiful nose. The palate is complex, old world and delicate. Lovely wine with a beautiful finish. Never disappoints and is a recommend for all who love the traditional delicate and complex rioja style.

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• 2004 Bodegas Muga Rioja Selección Especial 94 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Rich and with more concentration than the Reserva, with plenty of black cherry, some currant and darker fruits, leather, white and milk chocolate and sweet perfume. More modern style with plenty of oak influence. Long finish. Beautiful but still tight at this moment. Only open if you love the compact and tannic early feel- it can be enjoyed now only for those drinkers. Wait a few years.

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• 2004 Bodegas Muga Rioja Prado Enea Gran Reserva 94 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  Beautiful wine with an incredibly expressive nose. I could just fire off nouns here! Dried cherry, some fig, violet and perfume, leather and some vanilla. Beautiful gamey nose. Also a delicate yet concentrated profile, the very essence of traditional Rioja. Long expressive finish. Drinking well now but can sit for several more years. High recommend.

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• 2005 Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga 95 Points

  Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja

  This wine is really hard to analyze because it is so tight and compact at this stage. At least five years from its start window! Blackcurrant and black fruits on the nose, and plenty of new french oak influence. Cocoa, chocolate, etc... Also some faint leather and game, although this is really in the background here. Perfume. This is a decidedly modern, cabernet-like expression of tempranillo. Stay away if you love the old world Rioja but enjoy if you are open or a lover of modern style wines. Definitely not delicate, yet it is seamless and perfectly balanced. Beautiful wine. But I really recommend fighting the urge to open it now, or anytime soon!

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