Wine: Marqués de Murrieta Etiqueta Blanca 1982
Winery: Marqués de Murrieta (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo
ABV: 12.9% vol.
Winery: Marqués de Murrieta (Logroño, La Rioja)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo
ABV: 12.9% vol.
Winemaking:
The wine rests for 12 months in tanks to complete alcoholic and malolactic fermentations. After stabilization, it matures for 24 months in seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels, subjected to two manual rackings per year. It is membrane-filtered before bottling. A minimum of 18 months of bottle aging in the winery’s underground cellars is required before its commercial release.
The wine rests for 12 months in tanks to complete alcoholic and malolactic fermentations. After stabilization, it matures for 24 months in seasoned 225-liter American oak barrels, subjected to two manual rackings per year. It is membrane-filtered before bottling. A minimum of 18 months of bottle aging in the winery’s underground cellars is required before its commercial release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Garnet-ruby color with medium-high depth; dark and more opaque than the
1981 vintage. Matte reddish and orange reflections with low brilliance.
Minimal coppery rim, sharply defined against the meniscus. Its high
extraction is surprising, appearing almost like a recently released
Reserva.
Nose:
High intensity and well-defined from the start. The nose is initially
dominated by aromatic herbs—laurel and sage—which gradually reveal an
exceptional core of very ripe red fruit and a hint of withered flowers.
Notes of prunes, dried apricots, infused rose hips, and dried orange
peel emerge. With aeration, the wine lightens, showcasing purity and a
"youthful" character of fleshy fruit, strawberry tree, pomegranate, and
cherries in liqueur. It maintains a very fine patina of seasoned wood
with high-quality roasted nuances (ground coffee, cocoa powder).
Palate:
Remarkably youthful on the palate. Broad, full, and savory, with a
touch of sweet fruit that tempers its surging acidity. Potent and
quintessentially 1982 in style; spicy and intense with high-quality
bitters. Although it currently lacks full roundness, its defiant
strength and firm, marked tannins elevate the ensemble.
Commentary:
This is the final vintage of the "Etiqueta Blanca" ever released by Murrieta, and undeniably one of its finest. It remains a vigorous and challenging red that still keeps its "fangs sharpened." While it will benefit from a few more years of cellaring to achieve full integration, its raw power is impressive.
This is the final vintage of the "Etiqueta Blanca" ever released by Murrieta, and undeniably one of its finest. It remains a vigorous and challenging red that still keeps its "fangs sharpened." While it will benefit from a few more years of cellaring to achieve full integration, its raw power is impressive.
Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Average: 91
Tasting Group Average: 91
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