Marques de Murrieta
About Marques de Murrieta
Named after Luciano de Murrieta, who has long been considered the founding fathers of modern Rioja winemaking, Marqués de Murrieta winery was bought by Vicente Cebrián-Sagarriga in 1983. His son, Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga, began working at the winery at the age of 13. After the sudden passing of his father in 1996, Vicente took over the reins and channelled his grief into growing the winery to what it is today. These developments included buying land (all wines use estate-grown grapes) and increasing cellar space to allow long term bottle ageing.
Vicente is supported by María Vargas, one of the highest-profile winemakers in Spain. Joining the winery as an assistant winemaker in 1995, Maria was appointed the head winemaker in 2000 and is credited with inspiring other females in the industry.
The Winemaking and the Wines
Their flagship cuvée, the Castillo Y’Gay Rioja Gran Reserva Especial, needs little introduction. Made only in the best vintages from vines planted in 1950, the wine spent a decade maturing in the cellars before being released and had no problems impressing wine critics. Delivering “marvelous aromas of crushed berries, tobacco, cedar and mushrooms” (JS), Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate) reckons this to be one of the finest Rioja in modern days, with “all the stuffing and balance that is needed for a long (and positive) aging in bottle”.
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Prices:
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Inc. TAX€1,372.69 -
Wine Advocate (94)
I reported on the current release, the 2001 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, previously but underrated it slightly. This cuvee is sourced from a single plot called La Plana planted at over 1500 feet of elevation. It is made up of 93% Tempranillo and 7% Mazuelo chosen for its acidity. The wine is aged for 10 months in new American oak followed by 21 months in seasoned oak. It is then held in bottle for 3-4 years prior to release. Deeply colored, spicy, elegant and complex, the wine has great volume and grip as well as exceptional length. It can be approached now but will easily have a 30 year lifespan.Inc. TAX€383.64 -
(1x300cl) 2007Wine Advocate (95+)
A worthy follow-up of the 2007, the 2007 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial will be released in late 2015. This is a cuvée of mostly Tempranillo with the balance of Mazuelo (Cariñena), a very important grape for Castillo de Ygay in percentages that vary depending on the vintage, and it's almost 15% in 2007. 2007 was not an easy vintage and in Ygay they had a terrible mildew attack and they lost 50% of the bunches. It's a cold, rainy year, but because of that circumstance the wine is concentrated. This is still a baby, long and with depth and tannins that should melt in a couple of years. Compared with the 2005 it is fresher, perhaps not as concentrated, but for me the extra freshness compensates and puts it at a very similar quality level. And the rule of thumb is to wait at least ten years after the harvest to start uncorking any Castillo de Ygay. Cheap it is not, but very good value it is, for the quality it delivers. 110,000 bottles were produced. There will be no Castillo de Ygay in 2008, but there will be 2009, 2010 and 2011. That's something exceptional to have three vintages in a row.Inc. TAX€1,277.75 -
James Suckling (99)
Marvelous aromas of crushed berries, tobacco, cedar and mushrooms. Some dried cheese. Then turns to flowers. Very complex. Full and intense with fantastic depth and power. It goes on for minutes. It is a wine that exudes tradition but gives a sense of modernity with precise winemaking. Two years in oak, one in concrete and three or four in bottle. Drink on release and age onwards.Inc. TAX€1,616.63 -
James Suckling (98)
Extremely well-mannered, traditional character to this, showing layer upon layer of savory complexity on the nose, with iron, dried meat, tobacco, balsamic fruit, dried red berries, orange peel, leather and dried mushrooms. A medium-to full-bodied, linear and zesty Rioja that’s full of nuanced flavors that linger through the very long, savory finish. Floral, too. Yet, it remains bright and precise. Tempranillo with 16% mazuelo. Drink on release or hold.Inc. TAX€1,009.43 -
James Suckling (100)
So much dried flower, mushroom, iron, rust, sweet berry, and grilled orange. Full-bodied with very elegant and refined tannins that melt in the mouth and give a real sense of place and integrity. Balanced and harmonious. The finesse and finish is endless. Production was 30% less than in 2011. Already so drinkable. A wonderful future. This is the new 1934 or 1964, two legends. Drink or hold.Inc. TAX€1,316.63 -
(6x75cl) 2005Vinous (97)
Solar energy defines the 2005 Castillo Ygay (89% Tempranillo, 11% Mazuelo). The aromatics combine clean, precise oak—cedar and sandalwood—with an expansive bouquet of menthol accents and a savory herbal thread. There is fruit presence beneath the frame. On the palate, the tannins remain active, supported by wood that lengthens the wine and brings a lightly plush feel. The 2005 is enjoyable now, yet it still holds enough structure to justify further aging.Inc. TAX€1,201.43 -
(1x75cl) 2010Inc. TAX€117.42 -
James Suckling (98)
This is historical Rioja in the glass with dark-berry, Spanish-cedar, bark, mahogany and light earth aromas that follow through to a full body with firm, fine tannins that are layered and intense. It really is multilayered, with a citrus and cedar aftertaste. Wonderful length and composure. Try after 2023, but already fantastic.Inc. TAX€365.58 -
Tim Atkin MW (94)
Fresh, serious, stylish and well balanced, this is a delightful 2015, with no sign of the heat of the vintage.Inc. TAX€234.23
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In Bond€1,120.00
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Wine Advocate (94)
I reported on the current release, the 2001 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, previously but underrated it slightly. This cuvee is sourced from a single plot called La Plana planted at over 1500 feet of elevation. It is made up of 93% Tempranillo and 7% Mazuelo chosen for its acidity. The wine is aged for 10 months in new American oak followed by 21 months in seasoned oak. It is then held in bottle for 3-4 years prior to release. Deeply colored, spicy, elegant and complex, the wine has great volume and grip as well as exceptional length. It can be approached now but will easily have a 30 year lifespan.In Bond€316.00 -
(1x300cl) 2007
Wine Advocate (95+)
A worthy follow-up of the 2007, the 2007 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial will be released in late 2015. This is a cuvée of mostly Tempranillo with the balance of Mazuelo (Cariñena), a very important grape for Castillo de Ygay in percentages that vary depending on the vintage, and it's almost 15% in 2007. 2007 was not an easy vintage and in Ygay they had a terrible mildew attack and they lost 50% of the bunches. It's a cold, rainy year, but because of that circumstance the wine is concentrated. This is still a baby, long and with depth and tannins that should melt in a couple of years. Compared with the 2005 it is fresher, perhaps not as concentrated, but for me the extra freshness compensates and puts it at a very similar quality level. And the rule of thumb is to wait at least ten years after the harvest to start uncorking any Castillo de Ygay. Cheap it is not, but very good value it is, for the quality it delivers. 110,000 bottles were produced. There will be no Castillo de Ygay in 2008, but there will be 2009, 2010 and 2011. That's something exceptional to have three vintages in a row.In Bond€1,050.00 -
James Suckling (99)
Marvelous aromas of crushed berries, tobacco, cedar and mushrooms. Some dried cheese. Then turns to flowers. Very complex. Full and intense with fantastic depth and power. It goes on for minutes. It is a wine that exudes tradition but gives a sense of modernity with precise winemaking. Two years in oak, one in concrete and three or four in bottle. Drink on release and age onwards.In Bond€1,325.00 -
James Suckling (98)
Extremely well-mannered, traditional character to this, showing layer upon layer of savory complexity on the nose, with iron, dried meat, tobacco, balsamic fruit, dried red berries, orange peel, leather and dried mushrooms. A medium-to full-bodied, linear and zesty Rioja that’s full of nuanced flavors that linger through the very long, savory finish. Floral, too. Yet, it remains bright and precise. Tempranillo with 16% mazuelo. Drink on release or hold.In Bond€819.00 -
James Suckling (100)
So much dried flower, mushroom, iron, rust, sweet berry, and grilled orange. Full-bodied with very elegant and refined tannins that melt in the mouth and give a real sense of place and integrity. Balanced and harmonious. The finesse and finish is endless. Production was 30% less than in 2011. Already so drinkable. A wonderful future. This is the new 1934 or 1964, two legends. Drink or hold.In Bond€1,075.00 -
(6x75cl) 2005
Vinous (97)
Solar energy defines the 2005 Castillo Ygay (89% Tempranillo, 11% Mazuelo). The aromatics combine clean, precise oak—cedar and sandalwood—with an expansive bouquet of menthol accents and a savory herbal thread. There is fruit presence beneath the frame. On the palate, the tannins remain active, supported by wood that lengthens the wine and brings a lightly plush feel. The 2005 is enjoyable now, yet it still holds enough structure to justify further aging.In Bond€979.00 -
(1x75cl) 2010In Bond€94.00
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James Suckling (98)
This is historical Rioja in the glass with dark-berry, Spanish-cedar, bark, mahogany and light earth aromas that follow through to a full body with firm, fine tannins that are layered and intense. It really is multilayered, with a citrus and cedar aftertaste. Wonderful length and composure. Try after 2023, but already fantastic.In Bond€286.00 -
Tim Atkin MW (94)
Fresh, serious, stylish and well balanced, this is a delightful 2015, with no sign of the heat of the vintage.In Bond€173.00
