Castillo Ygay 1995 Gran Reserva Especial

Wine: Castillo Ygay 1995 Gran Reserva Especial

Winery: Marqués de Murrieta (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 78% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo, 6% Garnacha Tinta, 1% Graciano.
ABV: 13%
Winemaking

Grapes sourced exclusively from the "La Plana" plot, at the highest point of the Ygay Estate (485m). Each variety was fermented separately in 30,000-liter temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Maceration lasted between 20 and 25 days to maximize skin contact and varietal expression, utilizing continuous pump-overs and pigeage. The wine was aged for 48 months in both new and seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels. Bottled in May 2001. A minimum of 36 months of bottle aging was completed in the winery’s cellars prior to release.

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: Reddish-cherry leaning towards ruby; medium-high depth. Notably higher extraction compared to subsequent vintages. Bright and pristine, displaying garnet and orange highlights. It features a broad orange rim that contrasts sharply with the core.

 

Nose: Still somewhat restrained, requiring further years in the bottle to reach its peak. It presents as a classic, understated, and shy red, revealing hints of white spices, vanilla, and creamy toasted nuances, alongside cured leather and a backdrop of highly concentrated red fruit. Subtle, evolving, and slightly fragile. With aeration, it gains aromatic lift—withered petals, dried flowers—complemented by a trail of wine-soaked oak and marquetry. It has yet to fully unfurl.

 

Palate: Fleshy and concentrated on the palate, conveying a certain primal sense of a wine still "in the making." It features fine tannins, ripe reduced red fruit, and a delicate sweetness, all well-integrated with savory toasted notes and vanilla, supported by good acidity. Theoretically, it possesses everything one expects from a Castillo Ygay. It is a red that demands attention, sitting halfway between modern Rioja and the region's most traditional style. While enjoyable now, it leaves the impression that it will significantly improve with more cellar time. It should gain depth and nuance, though its ultimate trajectory remains an enigma. Currently among the finest modern productions in the classic Riojan vein, yet it remains light-years away from the legendary Castillo Ygay bottlings that brought global fame to Rioja. At this stage, it shows more promising aging potential than the overrated 2001 vintage. A very convincing effort.

 

Personal Score: 91
Tasting Group Score: 91