2019 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva.
When discussing Rioja’s fine wines, the name Marqués de Murrieta stands as a symbol of tradition and consistency, dating back to its foundation in 1852. Marqués de Murrieta, a historic estate located in the heart of Rioja, has consistently been at the forefront of shaping the identity of the region, crafting wines that harmonize both tradition and modern elegance.
Today, we are reviewing the 2019 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva, a classic Rioja blend showcasing the impeccable balance between fruit, structure, and aging potential.
About the Winery
Marqués de Murrieta is a name woven deeply into the history of Rioja, being one of the oldest and most prestigious estates in the region. Founded by Mr. Luciano Murrieta, the estate has been instrumental in defining the quality of wines coming out of Rioja. Murrieta introduced Bordeaux winemaking techniques to the region, placing Rioja firmly on the map as a premier wine-producing region.
Located at the historic Ygay Estate, just outside of Logroño, the winery has extensive vineyards where they grow traditional Rioja varietals: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo. The estate is committed to preserving the character of Rioja’s terroir while evolving with modern winemaking techniques. This fusion of the old and new is perhaps most evident in their Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, which represent the very soul of their production philosophy.
With over 160 years of history, Marqués de Murrieta is a name that evokes reverence. Today, under the stewardship of Mr. Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga, the estate continues to blend tradition with modernity, producing wines of elegance, depth, and remarkable aging potential.
About the Wine
Marqués de Murrieta’s Reserva is arguably one of the estate’s most significant wines, serving as a gateway to the Ygay estate. It offers wine lovers worldwide the opportunity to experience the winery’s craftsmanship and unique vineyards. Consistently high in quality and affordably priced, this wine delivers excellence year after year. As the estate’s most widely produced wine, it ensures global availability, acting as a signature expression of the winery’s heritage and commitment to excellence.
The 2019 vintage of Marqués de Murrieta Reserva is an outstanding expression of Rioja Alta’s terroir, benefiting from an exceptional growing season. The early part of the year saw ideal weather conditions, promoting slow and even ripening. This balanced the grapes’ acidity and phenolic ripeness, contributing to a well-structured and vibrant wine.
This Reserva is a blend dominated by Tempranillo (85%), with smaller proportions of Graciano (7%), Mazuelo (6%), and Garnacha (2%), each bringing its unique qualities to the final blend. The Tempranillo provides the wine with its backbone of ripe fruit and structure, while the Graciano and Mazuelo enhance the wine’s depth and complexity with their fresh acidity and spiciness. Aged for 18 months in American oak barrels, the 2019 Reserva maintains a perfect harmony between the fruit and oak, where the latter does not overpower but rather enhances the wine’s inherent qualities.
In the glass, the 2019 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva presents a deep ruby color, showing its youth with a vibrant and luminous core. On the nose, the wine immediately opens up with aromas of ripe red fruits—plums, cherries, and raspberries—complemented by subtle notes of vanilla, cloves, and a touch of balsamic undertones from its oak aging.
The palate offers a full-bodied experience, where the richness of the fruit is balanced by the wine’s bright acidity and fine-grained tannins. Red and black fruits dominate initially, with hints of cedar, tobacco leaf, and a dash of earthiness coming through mid-palate. As the wine evolves in the glass, there is an added complexity of spice, dried herbs, and leather.
The finish is long and elegant, leaving a lasting impression of red fruit, sweet spice, and a slight mineral edge that underscores the wine’s freshness and structure.
Conclusion
The 2019 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva continues the estate’s legacy of producing refined, age-worthy wines that highlight the essence of Rioja. This wine offers an excellent balance of fruit, structure, and oak integration, making it enjoyable now while promising greater complexity with age.
Given the wine’s structure, it will undoubtedly age gracefully for another 10 to 15 years, developing more complex tertiary notes over time. However, it is also immensely pleasurable in its youth, especially if decanted for an hour to allow its full range of flavors to unfold.
For Rioja lovers and those looking to explore one of Spain’s finest regions, the 2019 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva is a benchmark wine that delivers on all fronts—complexity, elegance, and exceptional value.
We award this excellent Reserva with a 93-point DWA score.
In addition to this Reserva we also reviewed the 2016 Marqués de Murrieta Gran Reserva. Click here to read this review.
This review is written by Niels Aarts. Marqués de Murrieta is imported in the Netherlands by Verbunt Verlinden and available through selected retail and hospitality partners.
Price: €25,00
Taste Date: October 2024
Score: 93/100 DWA Score
Website: Marqués de Murrieta