Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Rioja Gran Reserva 2000

Ever since I spent a year in Madrid when I was in my early 20s I have had a bit of an obsession with all things Spanish; Tapas, Fiestas, Siestas, Cañas... I never really got to grips with the language but funnily enough the wine was never a problem. I LOVE SPANISH WINE. One of my all time favourites is Marqués de Murrieta Rioja which still has all the traditional aspects of a good Rioja but with plenty of appeal to today's Rioja drinkers around the world.

       This winery was established in 1872 by Luciano de Murrieta who was later honoured by Queen Isabel II, herself toMarquesado de Murrieta; hence the name Marques de Murrieta. It is rioja's second oldest bodega. It then changed hands to the Cebrian family and has been in the family for two generations. It is Dalmau Cebrain who runs it now and was keen to bring the winery into the 21st century. As well as investing in the vineyards and winery he also hired a young female winemaker , Maria Vargas Montoya. Her first vintage was 2000 when she was only 29 years old! She made the Castillo Ygay(small castle) which is their Gran reserva. This is normally only made in excellent vintages and even though 2000 wasn't she was determined to make an Ygay in her first year. The results were impressive.

  

 Frans Kerstens(export manager pictured above))  visited us in Cellars last week and took us through their range and we were lucky enough to try it. It is aged for 3 years in oak and is a blend of predominantly tempranillo with a small bit of mazuelo  and a dash of garnacha, all estate grown grapes.

  A rich, powerful wine  with a complex array of aromas from leather to balsamic(in the nicest possible way) and in the mouth it is smooth and round with dried cherries and subtle spices. Absolutely gorgeous but expensive - retailing about €50!  Pockets feeling lighter than normal these days try their entry level red called Marques de Murrieta Reserva - knocks the socks off most Rioja Reservas on the market these days and at €19.99 definitely more affordable. With regards to food matching and the Ygay  - personally I think the best way to drink this is on your own  on it's own...

Till Next Time

Clare