Wine: Marqués de Murrieta Etiqueta Blanca 1970
Winery: Marqués de Murrieta (Logroño, Rioja Alta)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo
ABV: N/A
Winery: Marqués de Murrieta (Logroño, Rioja Alta)
Appellation / Zone: D.O.Ca. Rioja
Varietals: 50% Tempranillo, 40% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo
ABV: N/A
Winemaking:
The Tempranillo was sourced from estate-owned plots and small growers near Logroño, while the Garnacha came from producers in Rioja Baja. The wine rested for a minimum of 12 months in large, founding-era seasoned oak vats. It was then transferred to other wooden and concrete vessels for malolactic fermentation and stabilization before aging. The wine matured for 30 to 38 months in used 225-liter American oak barrels. Membrane-filtered before bottling and aged for a minimum of 18 months in the winery’s cellars before release.
The Tempranillo was sourced from estate-owned plots and small growers near Logroño, while the Garnacha came from producers in Rioja Baja. The wine rested for a minimum of 12 months in large, founding-era seasoned oak vats. It was then transferred to other wooden and concrete vessels for malolactic fermentation and stabilization before aging. The wine matured for 30 to 38 months in used 225-liter American oak barrels. Membrane-filtered before bottling and aged for a minimum of 18 months in the winery’s cellars before release.
Tasting Notes
Appearance:
Ruby-red with medium depth; very clear and clean. A significant amount
of sediment is firmly adhered to the base of the bottle. The glass is
heavily tinted by color matter, appearing opaque and "frosted." Displays
vibrant, brilliant amber and reddish reflections. Broad, tawny (atejado) rim, sharply defined against the meniscus.
Nose:
Remarkably expressive upon opening: orderly and intact. It shows very
little tertiary evolution, lacking the typical fungal or noble wood
notes. It possesses a "Garnacha-driven" soul—uninhibited, generous, and
ripe to the point of being liqueur-like. It is adorned with soft toasted
oak notes that melt into creamy cocoa butter, toffee, and vanilla: a
true "confection" (un caramelito). Appealing and with great presence, though devoid of pretension or extreme subtlety.
Palate:
Fresh, clean, and sound. Deeply savory, with acidity perfectly
integrated into the whole. It shows superb balance and a palpable sense
of maturity throughout. It performs well at any serving temperature.
Commentary:
One of the most difficult wines to place blindly due to its frankness and youthful spirit—it is hard to believe this wine is 45 years old. While it lacks extreme complexity, it remains an excellent "third wine" from Murrieta. One can only hope that current Reservas will reach this age in such magnificent condition.
One of the most difficult wines to place blindly due to its frankness and youthful spirit—it is hard to believe this wine is 45 years old. While it lacks extreme complexity, it remains an excellent "third wine" from Murrieta. One can only hope that current Reservas will reach this age in such magnificent condition.
Personal Score: 90
Tasting Group Average: 91
Tasting Group Average: 91
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