Marqués de Murrieta 1954 Reserva

Wine: Marqués de Murrieta 1954 Reserva

Winery: Marqués de Murrieta (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo.
ABV: [Not specified]
Winemaking

Meticulous cluster selection upon arrival at the winery. Rapid destemming and pressing. The wine was aged for 12 to 18 months in foundational-era large oak vats—with a small portion stabilized in glass-lined concrete tanks—to complete malolactic fermentation. Maturation took place in seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels for an astonishing 200 to 210 months (nearly 18 years). The average age of the casks was 30 years, reaching 45 in specific cases. The wine underwent membrane filtration before being bottled directly from the barrel upon request. These bottles were delivered to clients on demand, without additional bottle aging at the estate.

 

Tasting Notes (17/08/2013)
 

Appearance: A stable, bright, and pristine reddish-ruby of medium-high depth. Given its chromatic intensity, one would never guess this wine is approaching its 60th anniversary. It displays luminous amber and copper highlights with a broad, clear orange rim that stands in sharp contrast to the core.

 

Nose: A complete departure from the restraint shown in previous tastings; here, the wine is exuberant and eager to perform. This is Murrieta in a "state of grace." Subtle, refined, and perfumed, it possesses a sober elegance and a seamless roundness bordering on perfection. It exhibits that multi-layered complexity found only in the winery’s most legendary vintages. In the glass, it acts as a hearth, exhaling scents of cigar humidors, aromatic coffee, leaf litter, morels, Virginia pipe tobacco, orange marmalade, candied cherries, and cocoa butter. It is simultaneously powerful and ethereal—fragrant, evocative, and of superlative quality. It remains unwavering over several hours of aeration. Deeply integrated notes of seasoned oak and ancient solera nuances abound. Gradually, an almost wild, "Cabernet-like" character emerges—despite the blend—revealing dark fruit, balsamic notes (mint, ivy, sage), and exotic spices over a backdrop of bitter cocoa and ultra-fine toasted accents. Enveloping and impressively expansive.

 

Palate: The palate maintains this breathtaking standard. Agile and fresh, it is driven by a vibrant acidity and tannins of an almost indefinable, plush, and silky texture. Its sheer finesse and energy are staggering, underpinned by that profound "Amurrietado" character that makes it unmistakable. One can taste a complex tapestry woven with patience over decades of bottle age; the ultra-fine reduction and elegant roundness are nearly hard to believe. Monumental! Its exquisite taste is so profound it borders on the suspicious. A pinnacle of Rioja winemaking.

 

Personal Score: 98
Tasting Group Score: 99

Tasting Notes (28/05/2013):
 

Appearance: A brilliant reddish-ruby of medium depth; remarkably stable in color, displaying orange and pomegranate highlights. It features a broad, slightly orange-toned rim that stands in sharp contrast to the core.

 

Nose: An initial shock. While free of defects, the wine was hermetically sealed—entirely mute. Only a faint balsamic, almost mentholated note emerged, alongside hints of charcoal and burnt coffee. After six hours of bottle aeration, the transformation is complete. It is now communicative, expansive, and powerfully intact. It acts as a hearth, exhaling a plume of English tobacco strands, smoked pepper, clove, powdered bay leaf, and dehydrated mushrooms, layered over a trace of red fruit preserves. Its sheer breadth and vigor make it a multi-faceted experience where nuances are tightly interwoven. A mysterious, peppery undertone provides a "Cabernet-like" allure, adding a layer of intrigue to the whole.

 

Palate: On the palate, the wine is a flash of energy. The first impression is one of medium body and remarkable freshness—spicy, sophisticated, and of the highest caliber. It possesses a clearly traditional profile, yet it is redefined by a spirited nerve and a piercing acidity that intensifies the ripe fruit and creamy toasted notes. Refined yet solid; profound. This is perhaps the most vivacious Murrieta tasted this year. It shows no signs of faltering and certainly possesses the structural integrity to be cellared for several more years. Another benchmark wine from a legendary vintage.

 

Personal Score: 93
Tasting Group Score: 96