Muga 1970 Gran Reserva

Wine: Muga 1970 Gran Reserva

Winery: Bodegas Muga (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 40% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo, 10% Viura
ABV: 12.5%
Winemaking

40% of the grapes come from estate vineyards, with the remainder sourced from small growers in Rioja Alta, alongside a small proportion of wine from highly trusted producers. Each variety was vinified separately. Alcoholic fermentation took place in 18,000-liter oak vats, followed by racking into clean vats. During racking, a bunch of dried grape stems (escobajos) was held against the tap to act as a natural filter. The wine spent 12 months in vats and horizontal tanks to complete malolactic fermentation and settle. It was then aged for 36 to 48 months in seasoned American oak barrels (average age of 12 years), many crafted in the winery's own cooperage. Manual rackings were performed every 4 months. Fined with fresh egg whites. Aged in the bottle for a minimum of 6 years prior to its release in the early 1980s.

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: Very pale reddish-ruby with medium-low depth; pristine and bright. It shows orange and copper highlights with a tawny (tile-red) rim that merges with the meniscus. Thick, persistent, and glyceric legs (tears).

 

Nose: Intense and highly liqueur-like, featuring aromas of overripe red fruit (sour cherries, strawberry tree fruit) over a background of fine pastry, candied fruit, quince, and vanilla bean; reminiscent of a Coca de San Juan. It opens shyly with hints of aromatic herbs, clove, and wine-soaked staves, alongside a traditional Rioja aging profile: aged leather, barnyard, mature red fruits, dry hay, and animalistic nuances.

 

Palate: Solid and well-structured despite being a medium-bodied red with a fragile appearance. Balanced and round, driven by a piercing acidity; lively and fresh with mature, warm tannins. An elegant and settled wine with a high-quality smoky oak patina and a slightly high-toned (acídulo) character. It stands on the same level as the Prado Enea from the same vintage. This was the first wine produced following the death of the winery's founder, Isaac Muga Martínez, in 1969. It represents the memory of a classic style that was gradually phased out after the winery moved from San Tomás Street to the Railway Station District in May 1972. A benchmark wine that, when rescued today, remains in peak condition.

 

Personal Score: 91
Tasting Group Score: 92

Familia Muga en el viñedo, 1948. En primer término se ve a Isaac Muga Caño con un racimo en la mano.