Bottle opened half an hour before lunch. Cork in perfect condition. Almost twenty years on it still retains a violet core colour with watery edges. Initially the nose is somewhat reduced, with notes of old barrels predominating. When airing stand out those aromas of unripe cherries, strawberry greenhouse, sweet spices and also cloves and black pepper on flesh. As usual in Muga, harmonious aromatic complexity. On the palate the first thing that stands out is a sharp acidity that facilitates its permanence and grants that delicious character purely gastronomic. Aqueous texture. A little astringent finish. From my humble point of view this wine needs to mature much more in bottle. No hurries for mine. Still far from its true potential in my opinion. Apparently it is more concerned to designate this wine by its commercial name (Selección Especial) than by its category as Reserva wine. CT things.
Botella abierta media hora antes del almuerzo. Corcho en una perfecta condición. Con casi veinte años encima y todavía conserva un núcleo violáceo con bordes acuosos. Inicialmente en nariz se presenta un tanto reducido predominando las notas de barriles viejos. Al orearse destacan los aromas cerezas sin madurar, fresón de invernadero, especias dulces y también clavo y pimienta negra sobre carne fresca. Como casi siempre en Muga, armoniosa complejidad aromática. Al paladar lo primero que sobresale es una afilada acidez que facilita su permanencia y otorga ese delicioso carácter puramente gastronómico. Final un pelín astringente. Desde mi humilde punto de vista a este vino le falta madurar bastante más en botella. Sin prisas para las mías. Todavía lejos de su verdadero potencial en mi opinión. Aparentemente preocupa más designar este vino por su nombre comercial que por su categoría de vino Reserva. Cosas de CT.
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Remarkably underrated. Traditional, fresh Rioja at peak. Powerful and complex.
Nose is robust and yet subtle. Notes of worn leather, dark chocolate, oregano, dill and earthy black cherry.
Palate is full and balanced with fine tannins and persistent acidity. Alcoholic presence is nicely integrated given the 14% abv.
Flavours complete the old oak and savoury notes with cedar, vanilla and pepper front and centre. Very long finish. Drinking beautifully now and should stay there for another five years or more.
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4/2/2024 - pmik Likes this wine: 93 Points
93+.
Vinnørd. Very smooth and probably at peak! Great balance and length
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2/27/2024 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:
Bottle opened half an hour before lunch. Cork in perfect condition. Almost twenty years on it still retains a violet core colour with watery edges. Initially the nose is somewhat reduced, with notes of old barrels predominating. When airing stand out those aromas of unripe cherries, strawberry greenhouse, sweet spices and also cloves and black pepper on flesh. As usual in Muga, harmonious aromatic complexity. On the palate the first thing that stands out is a sharp acidity that facilitates its permanence and grants that delicious character purely gastronomic. Aqueous texture. A little astringent finish. From my humble point of view this wine needs to mature much more in bottle. No hurries for mine. Still far from its true potential in my opinion. Apparently it is more concerned to designate this wine by its commercial name (Selección Especial) than by its category as Reserva wine. CT things.
Botella abierta media hora antes del almuerzo. Corcho en una perfecta condición. Con casi veinte años encima y todavía conserva un núcleo violáceo con bordes acuosos. Inicialmente en nariz se presenta un tanto reducido predominando las notas de barriles viejos. Al orearse destacan los aromas cerezas sin madurar, fresón de invernadero, especias dulces y también clavo y pimienta negra sobre carne fresca. Como casi siempre en Muga, armoniosa complejidad aromática. Al paladar lo primero que sobresale es una afilada acidez que facilita su permanencia y otorga ese delicioso carácter puramente gastronómico. Final un pelín astringente. Desde mi humilde punto de vista a este vino le falta madurar bastante más en botella. Sin prisas para las mías. Todavía lejos de su verdadero potencial en mi opinión. Aparentemente preocupa más designar este vino por su nombre comercial que por su categoría de vino Reserva. Cosas de CT.
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2/3/2024 - MS86 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Remarkably underrated. Traditional, fresh Rioja at peak. Powerful and complex.
Nose is robust and yet subtle. Notes of worn leather, dark chocolate, oregano, dill and earthy black cherry.
Palate is full and balanced with fine tannins and persistent acidity. Alcoholic presence is nicely integrated given the 14% abv.
Flavours complete the old oak and savoury notes with cedar, vanilla and pepper front and centre. Very long finish. Drinking beautifully now and should stay there for another five years or more.
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1/16/2024 - robmatic wrote: 93 Points
Still drinking wonderfully. Vibrant and luxurious. At peak, and should hold for a long time.
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8/21/2023 - gboue wrote: 94 Points
Missing, probably mistaken entry
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