94 Point Rioja One of Rioja's finest Riservas from Marques de Murrieta. 94 Points James Suckling: "This is very structured and powerful with a dense and rich palate of ripe fruit and hints of toasted oak. Full and layered. Structured. Released February 2020. Needs a few years of bottle age. 94 Points Robert Parker: "I also tasted an unbottled sample of the Marques de Murietta 2016 Rioja Reserva, which should be bottled in a couple of months, before the summer. What I tasted was the final blend, and it represents the year—2016 was a cooler year, and the wine also goes in that direction. 2016 saw a large crop, and the grapes for this cuvée were harvested at the end of September, going toward more finesse and subtleness, combined with the natural power. There was a change in the winery in 2016 that was finalized in 2018 with the new winery. The wine is textured and fine, and it's more elegant than the 2015 I tasted next to it. The detail and texture on the palate is different, and the quality of the tannins is completely different. This should be released in early 2020." Though it's one of the oldest Rioja bodegas, dating back to the mid-19th century, Marqués de Murrieta has not rested on its laurels. They continue to produce excellent wines that are big hits with their customers and critics alike. They farm all their own grapes on their large, contiguous vineyard just outside of Logroño, which boasts old vines, a variety of soils from chalky clay to very stony parcels, and a climate that particularly favors not only Tempranillo but some of the region's finest Mazuelo.
Ronald Heijden
92+ still very young but very promosing
92+ still very young but very promosing
9.2Peter Sultan
Strong, vibrant red fruit. Baked allspice & currants, but bigger berries flood palate. Decent acidity. Accompanied our baked desserts at end of meal. Not my go to Rioja producer but I can see how this can work.
Strong, vibrant red fruit. Baked allspice & currants, but bigger berries flood palate. Decent acidity. Accompanied our baked desserts at end of meal. Not my go to Rioja producer but I can see how this can work.
9.1Jay Kline
Popped and poured, consumed over two days. The 2016 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva pours a dark ruby color with translucent core and watery rim; medium viscosity. Stains the glass a bit. Medium+ intensity. Dark cherry, blackberries, pipe tobacco, black licorice, fresh herbs, baking spices, butter soft leather and some cedar. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin, medium acid. Again with the dark cherry and blackberry fruit, some balsamic notes and spices. A very giving wine that’s so easy to enjoy. Outrageous value.
Popped and poured, consumed over two days. The 2016 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva pours a dark ruby color with translucent core and watery rim; medium viscosity. Stains the glass a bit. Medium+ intensity. Dark cherry, blackberries, pipe tobacco, black licorice, fresh herbs, baking spices, butter soft leather and some cedar. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin, medium acid. Again with the dark cherry and blackberry fruit, some balsamic notes and spices. A very giving wine that’s so easy to enjoy. Outrageous value.
9.2Victor Charcan
Expressive nose, well handled oak, red fruit a d spices, med bodied and fine acid.
Expressive nose, well handled oak, red fruit a d spices, med bodied and fine acid.
9.0Sam Friedland
See my notes a year ago
See my notes a year ago
8.9John Bratincevic
NOSE: Chocolate, blackberry, molasses, clove, cassis. Smells like a really rich Rioja! TASTE: cigars, berries, lovely acidity, mix of savory and baking spices (big hit of oregano), a dash of old book, a little wood varnish (in the old tasty fancy way), cedar, big silky mouthfeel - wow, this is delicious. 93.
NOSE: Chocolate, blackberry, molasses, clove, cassis. Smells like a really rich Rioja! TASTE: cigars, berries, lovely acidity, mix of savory and baking spices (big hit of oregano), a dash of old book, a little wood varnish (in the old tasty fancy way), cedar, big silky mouthfeel - wow, this is delicious. 93.
9.3Wayne Stargardt
Light smooth oakiness that lingers in the long finish. Hints of mint with a bold, full mouth fruit.
Light smooth oakiness that lingers in the long finish. Hints of mint with a bold, full mouth fruit.
9.2Harvey Raben
This wine was open for an hour and still restrained and showed little fruit. Another hour brought plum and rhubarb, some leather and cinnamon. The wine simply opened up and offered an enticing taste.
This wine was open for an hour and still restrained and showed little fruit. Another hour brought plum and rhubarb, some leather and cinnamon. The wine simply opened up and offered an enticing taste.
9.0Ericsson
Major Tempranillo blend aged in American Oak for 21 months. Bright violet colour. Pronounced aromas of dark cherry, baking spices and toasted oak. Palate is dry, medium body-tannins-alcohol, high acidity, and notes of cherry and plum with a medium finish. Very good wine: balanced and elegant.
Major Tempranillo blend aged in American Oak for 21 months. Bright violet colour. Pronounced aromas of dark cherry, baking spices and toasted oak. Palate is dry, medium body-tannins-alcohol, high acidity, and notes of cherry and plum with a medium finish. Very good wine: balanced and elegant.
9.3Sam Friedland
Nice balanced wine, mellowed tannins, a hint of cherries and tobacco.
Nice balanced wine, mellowed tannins, a hint of cherries and tobacco.
8.9WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.