Recommendation: An EXCELLENT Rioja Reserva that’s a good value.
Winery/Producer: Bodegas Muga; Haro, Spain.
Grape Variety: Tempranillo blend: 65% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Graciano and 5% Muzuelo.
Geographic Region, Appellation: Rioja, Spain
Vintage: 2011
Price: $23.95
Purchased From: Woodland Hills Wine Company, Woodland Hills, California.
Paired With: A selections of Murray’s cheeses (blues, manchego, Jalsberg and others).
Tasting:
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He said: Opened 30-minutes before drinking. Clear, dark ruby color with a more purple rim. Ripe fruit, wood shavings, smoke and mushroom cave aromas. Smooth mouth-feel and medium body; strong spicy plum, cherry and current taste. Than an intense long finish that’s full of sumptuous tannins and enough acidity to make it noteworthy, all this is followed by a very long, dry, dusty after-taste. Fantastic with our assortment of Murray’s cheeses and it really came in to its own drinking alone. I would describe it in a few words as having a touch of “New World” bold fruitiness. Still, it’s an EXCELLENT Rioja Reserva that’s a good value and a very delicious red wine that gets a strong buy recommendation from me.
She said: Ruby red, opaque, thick speedy legs. Lots of fruity aroma, a flavor with hints of mushroom; the body was a bit on the thin side, while the tannins were pleasant and lasted into the long flavorful finish. Smooth and dry, the wine was well balanced and good with the cheeses but some better than others. After finishing the cheeses the wine came more into its own and the tannins emerged stronger, much to my delight. A very nice wine at $24 but we recently had a similar priced Rioja (Ontanon Rioja Reserva 2005) that we liked better.
Alcohol: 14%
UPC Code: 6 15503 10010 4
Imported by: The Henry Wine Group; Benicia, California.
Photo from Bodegas Muga.