Wine: Prado Enea 1970 Gran Reserva
Winery: Bodegas Muga (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo, 10% Graciano.
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Winery: Bodegas Muga (Haro, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 60% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo, 10% Graciano.
ABV: 12.5% vol.
Winemaking:
40% of the grapes are sourced from estate vineyards, with the remainder coming from smallholders in Rioja Alta and trusted local producers. Each variety was vinified separately. Alcoholic fermentation took place in 18,000-liter wooden vats. During racking, a traditional method was used: a bunch of dried 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 stabilize. It then matured for 48 months in 457 neutral American oak barrels (average age of 12 years), many crafted by the winery’s own cooperage. Total production: 137,136 bottles. A minimum of 24 months of bottle aging was required before release.
40% of the grapes are sourced from estate vineyards, with the remainder coming from smallholders in Rioja Alta and trusted local producers. Each variety was vinified separately. Alcoholic fermentation took place in 18,000-liter wooden vats. During racking, a traditional method was used: a bunch of dried 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 stabilize. It then matured for 48 months in 457 neutral American oak barrels (average age of 12 years), many crafted by the winery’s own cooperage. Total production: 137,136 bottles. A minimum of 24 months of bottle aging was required before release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Coppery-ruby color, almost salmon-hued, with medium-low depth; very
light extraction and remarkably clear. Despite its age, it shows no
sediment or signs of excessive evolution. It features beautiful,
brilliant orange and garnet reflections. The rim is exceptionally broad,
covering the entire surface of the meniscus with no discernible
variation.
Nose:
Open and very mature, leading with notes of candied red fruits and
wine-soaked staves. A secondary layer of exotic spices emerges:
turmeric, cloves, and Sichuan pepper. A nuance of bitter orange
marmalade binds the bouquet, giving way to vegetal notes of caraway,
anise, and fennel that become increasingly resinous, reminiscent of
cypress sap. The oak is elegantly concealed, providing only a refined
toasted touch. A singular and highly original aromatic profile.
Palate:
"Naked" and devoid of artifice; as clean as water. It is packed with
very reduced, savory, and spicy red fruit, supported by a refreshing
acidity that maintains structural tension. While it possesses less power
and structure than the Muga Gran Reserva of the same vintage, it shares the same level of craftsmanship and emotional depth.
Commentary:
The 1970 Prado Enea is an evocative and unconventional Rioja. Its extreme lightness in color and "naked" palate defy the expectations of a long-lived Gran Reserva, yet its vitality and aromatic complexity are undeniable. It represents a masterclass in finesse over force, capturing the ethereal side of Haro's winemaking in one of the century's most iconic vintages.
The 1970 Prado Enea is an evocative and unconventional Rioja. Its extreme lightness in color and "naked" palate defy the expectations of a long-lived Gran Reserva, yet its vitality and aromatic complexity are undeniable. It represents a masterclass in finesse over force, capturing the ethereal side of Haro's winemaking in one of the century's most iconic vintages.
Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Average: 93
Tasting Group Average: 93
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