Marqués de Murrieta 1985 Blanco Reserva

Wine: Marqués de Murrieta 1985 Blanco Reserva
Winery: Marqués de Murrieta (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 90% Viura, 10% Malvasía
ABV: 12.5%
Winemaking

The wine spent 12 months in glass-lined concrete and stainless steel tanks to complete fermentation and stabilize before being racked for wood aging. It was matured for 24 months in seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels. A minimum of 6 to 12 months of bottle aging was completed in the winery’s underground cellars prior to release.

 

Tasting Notes
 

Appearance: Bright, clear pale amber with a marked sense of density. It shows golden and orange highlights—luminous and shimmering.

 

Nose: High intensity, powerful, and expressive. It is abundant in sweet notes of dried apricots, honey, Spanish broom, bitter orange marmalade, and quince paste. A subtle spicy background gives way to fine wood, creamy nuances, and smoke. As it breathes, it becomes increasingly autumnal, revealing shy hints of leaf litter, black truffle, and aromatic coffee. It possesses that high-quality, elegant, and persistent earthiness characteristic of great Murrieta wines. Unlike other vintages from the early 80s, it shows a less oxidative profile. It is impressive how a wine considered "minor" by the winery at the time behaves this way decades later.

 

Palate: Thrilling, citrus-edged acidity that grips the palate—truly sharp. It is bursting with energy and life; supple (graso) and high-toned (acídulo). Overflowing with ripe fruit and white spices, it is savory and exceptionally long. A trace of vanilla melts into an ensemble of great maturity. The finish (retronasal) is beautifully candied. What a wine! If 30 years ago Murrieta was crafting wines of this dimension without any pretension other than continuing their annual white wine production, one must wonder: what has happened to the current Capellanía?

 

Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Score: 92