1998 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Capellanía

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 88 points

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  3/25/2007 - GraemeBell wrote: 88 Points

  Not much to add to previous note written on this wine - golden, almonds, vanilla, toffee/butterscotch. Very distinctive rioja nose. Was warned by vendor only to drink this with people who enjoy wine and to be prepared for a sherry-like experience approaching oxidisation. Became more sherry-like over time. Label recommended serving at 14-15 degrees - it was much better at 8 degrees as became much more sherry-like as it warmed up. Wish I had bought more.

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  8/29/2006 - thirstforwine wrote:

  The colour was as golden and rich as I had hoped. The nose was, for me, classic aged white rioja. The almost sherry-like characters (in a good way) with toasted almonds, some toffee notes as it opened up after decanting, and other flickers like straw, spice and a vague element redolent of make-up (something like acetone, but not as negative as that).
  This is a big wine. It was closed and tight on first tasting it, but it unfolded in the mouth with layers of all sorts of flavours; toasty, vanilla, cloves, pepper, then fruitier notes and finally a long, long finish with wonderful acidity and a spicy echo. The body was lighter than I had expected in some ways, it does not have the viscous qualities I recollect, but this wine has been described as "post-modern" - old style winemaking with new technology, so maybe this played a part? Decanting and slight warming helped to soften the impression and allow the wine to develop.
  Not sure about future development of this wine as I have limited experience, but I imagine this has years ahead of it still.
  I have seen conundrums as to what food to serve this kind of wine with, and the label suggests pate, but I chose a spicier dish of pork loin cooked with tomato, olives, capers, garlic and anchovy. The piquancy of the sauce matched the wine very well, and the overall effect was very light and refreshing. Highly recommended.

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