Marqués de Murrieta 1981 Reserva

Wine: Marqués de Murrieta 1981 Reserva
Winery: Marqués de Murrieta (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo.
ABV: 13% vol. 

Winemaking

The wine remained for 12 months in glass-lined concrete and stainless steel tanks to complete fermentation and stabilize before racking for wood aging. It matured for 36 months in used 225-liter American oak barrels. Membrane-filtered prior to bottling. A minimum of 24 months of bottle aging in the winery’s cellars before its commercial release. 

 

Tasting Notes

 

Appearance: Brownish-ruby color with medium depth; somewhat turbid and dull, with a fine graininess that fails to fully settle at the base of the bottle. It displays matte, orange reflections and lacks clarity. The rim is wide and tawny/brick-colored, showing no distinction from the meniscus. 

 

Nose: A wine that resembles many others, almost clonal in nature. Initially, reductive notes of lacquer, wax, old furniture, and antique shops predominate, gradually softening and losing intensity. Refined and abundant in creamy nuances, vanilla, nutmeg, and dairy notes, it holds its ground without collapsing. Earthy hints of leaf litter, damp soil, tobacco strands, and dehydrated mushrooms emerge, alongside a backdrop of sage and laurel. Pleasing, though predictable.

 

Palate: Vivid and arguably somewhat harsh on the palate. It will require further bottle age to fully polish. It maintains that characteristic "Murrieta brilliance" based on an unrelenting acidity—spicy, fresh, and persistent. There are elegant toasted notes and a core of reduced red fruit. Overall enjoyable, though one always expects a bit more from such a prestigious estate. 

 

Commentary

The 1981 Reserva feels like a wine caught in transition. It sits halfway between the historical grandeur of the past and the modernization that would arrive in the following years. While it possesses the house's signature acidity and freshness, it lacks the transcendental soul of Murrieta’s most legendary vintages. A respectable bottle, yet ultimately a somewhat melancholic story of a changing era.

 

Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Average: 90