Castillo Ygay 1978 Gran Reserva Especial

Wine: Castillo Ygay 1978 Gran Reserva Especial

Winery: Marqués de Murrieta (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 75% Tempranillo, 12% Mazuelo, 10% Garnacha, 3% Graciano.
ABV: 13%
Winemaking

Grapes sourced exclusively from the "La Plana" plot, the highest point of the Ygay Estate at 485 meters elevation. The wine spent several months in large, seasoned oak vats to complete fermentation and stabilize before racking. It was then matured for 18 years (216 months) in new and semi-used 225-liter American oak barrels. Bottled in 1998. Historically, it remains in the winery’s underground cellars for a minimum of 3 years prior to its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: A bright, luminous reddish-ruby of medium-high depth; pristine. It displays pomegranate and copper highlights with a broad orange rim.

 

Nose: Sophisticated, elegant, and delicate, showcasing high-quality nuances. Abundant notes of fine vanilla, nutmeg, and aromatic coffee are interwoven with earthy undertones of humus, forest floor, damp earth, and black truffle. It is an expressive and highly appealing wine, certain to make an impression in any tasting. It maintains a constant "autumnal air" and impeccable balance, even as it opens up to reveal ripe red fruit, liqueur-like hints, orange zest biscuits, aromatic herbs, and elegant toasted accents.

 

Palate: The palate is defined by harmony and smoothness, despite a vibrant, almost shocking acidity that grips from the first sip, accompanied by a spicy and fresh edge. Firm, mature tannins provide a structural frame for a wealth of stewed and overripe fruit. It lacks neither vigor nor drive. Solid, well-structured, savory, and fully integrated. An excellent wine, although we preferred the 1978 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva, which showed a more profound continuity with the estate’s historic style. This vintage likely represents the final Castillo Ygay crafted under the winery's traditional hallmarks—for that reason alone, it commands immense respect. It will continue to improve with further bottle age.

 

Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Score: 92