Marqués de Murrieta 1973 Reserva

Wine: Marqués de Murrieta 1973 Reserva
Winery: Marqués de Murrieta (Logroño, Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo.
ABV: 12.9% vol.

Winemaking

Grapes were hand-selected upon arrival at the winery, then destemmed and pressed with maximum speed. The wine remained for 12 months in glass-lined concrete tanks and large founding-era wooden vats to complete malolactic fermentation and settle. It was moved to barrels by gravity without filtration. Aged for a minimum of 10 years in used 225-liter American oak barrels. Membrane-filtered prior to bottling. It underwent a minimum of 3 years of bottle aging before its commercial release.

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Deep garnet-cherry color with medium-high depth; dark and opaque with subdued brilliance. It displays amber and coppery reflections. Visually, it does not suggest a wine over 40 years old. Minimal, iodized rim, showing a stark contrast against the meniscus.

 

Nose: Completely open and expressive from the first glass. High-intensity aromas with extraordinary depth. An autumnal perfume of undergrowth, chestnuts, walnut bark, damp earth, and humus stands out, alongside a hint of aromatic herbs and rock tea that adds a slightly Mediterranean, southern touch. Potent and perfectly outlined, it maintains its level throughout, showcasing a refinement and finesse of registers that very few wines can offer.

 

Palate: Pure velvet on the palate, yet with an opulence, vivacity, and solidity that is hard to believe. It is enveloped by a cloak of extraordinary acidity that carries the entire structure. Everything is present in abundance: reduced red fruit, noble woods, exotic spices, and a continuous outpouring of energy.

 

Commentary

The 1973 Reserva is a quintessential "old school" Murrieta. It is a monumental wine that confirms 1973 as one of the truly great vintages of the 20th century. Its combination of structural power and silken elegance is breathtaking, anchored by a vibrant acidity that promises a nearly eternal life. A monumental red that captures the legendary essence of Logroño's most historic estate.

 

Personal Score: 98
Tasting Group Average: 98