Marqués de Murrieta Etiqueta Blanca 1981

Wine: Marqués de Murrieta Etiqueta Blanca 1981

Winery: Marqués de Murrieta (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo
ABV: 12.9%
Winemaking

The wine spent 12 months in vats to complete malolactic fermentation and settle before wood aging. It was subsequently racked and matured for 24 months in seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels. The wine underwent membrane filtration prior to bottling. A minimum of 18 months of bottle aging was carried out in the winery’s underground cellars before its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes (11/02/2013):
 

Appearance: Dark, medium-high depth (capa) reddish-ruby; deeply-hued and opaque. It shows pomegranate highlights with a matte, lackluster finish. The rim is narrow and only slightly copper-toned. It bears no resemblance to the typical tawny-edged Riojas of this age; it is nearly impossible to place.

 

Nose: Initially presents low intensity and feels somewhat closed, requiring aeration to express itself. It begins to open with a soft, creamy oak note and high-quality toast, followed by hints of aromatic herbs, spices, and clove. All of this leads up to an explosion of fruit. It exhales an array of red fruit preserves, cherries in liqueur, confections, black cherries, and strawberry jam. Over 30 years in the bottle have failed to mask the fragrant and generous Garnacha, nor the Tempranillo, which contributes a background of petals and withered flowers. Pure youth in a glass.

 

Palate: It also evolves from less to more on the palate. Mature, supple (graso), and fruity; it is extremely savory, with a fine hint of sweetness that complements the vanilla-scented oak. It gains presence and freshness despite the overall maturity. Its lack of immense depth is compensated by its youthful character and an explosive amount of red fruit. Delicious. It has been over 30 years since Murrieta decided to stop producing this great wine. Inconsistency in certain vintages, the poor reputation of Garnacha at the time, and the increasing dominance of Tempranillo in Rioja eventually relegated this label to oblivion. Fortunately, a few bottles remain to prove that discontinuing it was an absolute blunder. Nothing more.

 

Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Score: 92

Tasting Notes (21/06/2013):
 

Appearance: Garnet-ruby with medium-high depth (capa); more opaque than usual and strikingly different from Murrieta’s older Reservas. It shows reddish and orange highlights and is slightly turbid. The rim is broad, conveying a sense of density with abundant legs (tears).

 

Nose: Fruity and powerful. There is a lavish display of red fruit preserves (plums, black cherries, pomegranate, ripe strawberries) and a liqueur-like edge, complemented by fragrant floral notes and withered petals. It maintains a superb varietal expression of generous Garnacha, with elegant, ultra-fine toasted notes that remain subtle and secondary. As it breathes, it gains both power and breadth, becoming increasingly candied and mature. Nuances of cherries in brandy, sloe, cocoa powder, and a balsamic hint reminiscent of blackcurrant and mint emerge. Fully intact, showing no symptoms of decline.

 

Palate: Remarkable integrity and vigor. The palate is dominated by red fruit jam and citrus notes (nectarine, plums) throughout a very fresh trajectory. Driven by a lively acidity and mature tannins, the oak is non-intrusive and never stands in the way. Savory, agile, and almost youthful; it is an absolute pleasure to drink. This is an excellent example of those historic wines defined by a high percentage of Garnacha in the blend which—contrary to initial predictions and the poor reputation of the variety at the time—has evolved masterfully over the years. It is currently at its peak.

 

Personal Score: 93
Tasting Group Score: 92