High scores for the Murrieta range
Impressive scores from James Suckling for the Marques de Murrieta range:
Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay 2005
97 Points
“You just want to smell this, with a polish and clarity that changes all the time. Aromas of walnuts, dark fruits, ginger, roasted seaweed, soya, iron, rosemary, and lavender. Full-bodied, yet polished and firm. Such tension and form. The length is phenomenal. As always, this is a selection of the best of the best. A blend of 90% tempranillo and 10% mazuelo. Almost all American oak. Aged three years barrel and then three years in bottle.”
Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Gran Reserva 2007
96 Points
“Unique aromas of ginger, sweet tobacco leaf, leather and ripe fruits. Full-bodied, very firm and tight. A racy, linear wine with great length and structure. It opens on the palate from a state of compression to opulence and beauty. This is, as always, a selection of the best barrels of gran reserva. 26 months in American oak barrels and 36 months in bottle.”
Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Capellania 2010
95 Points
“Aromas of white flowers, sliced pears, pineapple and chrysanthemum. Lilacs too. Full body plus mineral, stone and bright fruit flavors. It last for minutes on the palate. From a single plot of viura on the estate. It is barrel fermented and then aged 17 months. A great white. Phenomenal for the money.”
Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Reserva 2010
94 Points
“Fabulous aromas of crushed berry and dark fruits with walnuts, hazelnuts, and ginger. Cinnamon and honey melon too. Full-bodied, very tight and firm. Linear backbone of fruit and tannins. Very long and racy. 22 months in American oak (six months new and then racked into used). Beautiful now but needs another two or three years to soften. A triumph.”
Pazo Barrantes Rias Baixas La Comtesse 2012
93 Points
“A creamy and beautiful wine with sliced pear and apple. Hints of white peach and lime too. Full body, lovely texture and a long and flavorful finish. This is made from a special plot of vineyards that have 50 years of age or more. Fermented and aged one year in a large 3,000 liter French oak cask. A stylish white. Electric.”