Marques De Murrieta 2012 Castillo Ygay Reserva Especial Rioja

Marques De Murrieta 2012 Castillo Ygay Reserva Especial Rioja - The Spanish Table

Marques De Murrieta 2012 Castillo Ygay Reserva Especial Rioja

Wine Type

Red Wine

Country

Spain

Region

Rioja

Vintage

2012

Grape

Tempranillo, Mazuelo

%Alc

14%

Farming Method

Conventional

Marques de Murrieta is one of the classic producers of Rioja and their Castillo Ygay is always one of the top of the heap. The 2012 has received heaps of 100 point scores, and while we at The Spanish Table don't really go by scores, when a wine gets 100s from multiple reviewers, it's good.  This vintage is being compared with the greats, such as 1964, so this is one to buy now and lay down for the ages.  81% Tempranillo, 19% Mazuelo.
See the Press Reviews section for scores and tasting notes. 
As a special note,  no 2013, 2014 or 2015 will be produced, so from here, Marques de Murrieta will jump to the 2016 to be released in 2026 or 2027.  "Buy now" is all we can say!
100 points, James Suckling
97 points, Rober Parker
97 points, Vinous

James Suckling, 100 points: "So much dried flower, mushroom, iron, rust, sweet berry, and grilled orange. Full-bodied with very elegant and refined tannins that melt in the mouth and give a real sense of place and integrity. Balanced and harmonious. The finesse and finish is endless. Production was 30% less than in 2011. Already so drinkable. A wonderful future. This is the new 1934 or 1964, two legends. Drink or hold."

Robert Parker (WA), 97 points: "The 2012 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial was produced with a blend of 81% Tempranillo and 19% Mazuelo (Cariñena) from the plot La Plana in the Ygay estate, which was planted in 1950 at 485 meters above sea level, the highest in the Ygay property. The Tempranillo was picked between September 17th and 19th, and the Mazuelo was harvested on September 25th. The bunches were destemmed and lightly crushed and put to ferment in stainless steel for 10 days with constant pump-overs and délestages. The Tempranillo matured for 34 months in American oak barrels, and the Mazuelo also matured for 34 months but in French barriques. It was then blended and put in concrete for a further 20 months. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.65 and 5.8 grams of acidity (measured in tartaric acid per liter). It seems to follow the style of the 2011, perhaps somewhere between the 2010 and 2011—very classical, with notes of earth, cedar, spice and meat. The palate is polished, sleek and elegant with a touch of earthy rusticity. 103,216 bottles, 3,121 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in May 2019. No 2013, 2014 or 2015 will be produced, so from here, they will jump to 2016 to be released in 2026 or 2027. I look forward to it, and I'm intrigued about what I'm going to find when I taste it."

Vinous, 97 points: "The 2012 Gran Reserva Especial Castillo Ygay is 81% Tempranillo and 19% Mazuelo sourced from La Plana vineyard, planted on the Ygay Estate, Rioja Alta. Aged for 34 months in French and American oak barrels, this wine offers displays a garnet color with a brick sheen. It reveals a complex aroma of bee wax, dried flowers, cassis, sour cherry, cedar and vanilla, with a candied layer. Dry, silky and fairly juicy, the fine-grained tannins and heightened acidity deliver a cleansing, long-lasting finish. This exceptional wine exudes energy and demonstrates proven aging potential, making it one to savor and age gracefully."

Regular price $329.99
/
Shipping calculated at checkout.

LEARN MORE
ABOUT WINES

Red or White? What’s the difference and when to best enjoy them.