Vintage: 2009

Wine Name/Vineyard: Muga 

Wine Category: Rioja Reserva

Grape blend: 70% Tempranillo 20% Grenacha, 7% Mazuelo 3% Graciano

Bottle size: 750 ml 

Region: Haro

State or country: Spain

Price: $30.00

ABV: 14% 

Cases produced: N/A 

The Barrel Cellar Score:  89 points 

Review date: March 13, 2022

About the Winemaker: The Rioja wine region of Spain is most well known as a Mecca for producing fantastic Tempranillo and Granacha grapes. This wine is a blend of both of those varietals.

Bodegas Muga was founded as a family run business in 1932 and continues to be a family run business today. They produce wines using traditional methods and have won many awards for quality. Grapes are sourced from their property of around 25,000 square meters.

Color:  Plum

Nose:  Oak, black olive honeysuckle, and earthy notes. 

Taste: Smoke, dark berries, black cherry, fig, black pepper, and plentiful oak.

Assessment: I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy a few vintages of Muga Rioja Reserva over the years. They can vary in quality from vintage to vintage, as any wine can I suppose, but I’ve never had an unemployable bottle. I am particularly pleased with the 2009 vintage. This wine is simple yet elegant. It offers bright acidity that is balanced by silky tannins. It’s full bodied, rich, and elegant, I think the extra time in the bottle really benefited the wine. The 2009 vintage was ready to drink, but recent vintages should cellar for some time.

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Pairing recommendation:  Young Manchego cheese, bacon wrapped dates, or pastry with apricot preserves.

The Barrel Cellar gives 2009 “Muga” 89 points.