Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja 2012

Description

Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja 2012 was released in 2024. It is a blend of Tempranillo and Mazuelo grapes from a single, old vineyard called La Plana. The 2012 Ygay vintage was awarded 100 points and Spanish Wine of the Year by James Suckling.

Marques de Murrieta was established in 1852 and is one of the oldest and most respected bodegas of Rioja. The bodega was acquired by D. Vicente Cebrián-Sagarriga, Count of Creixell 1983 and continues with a distinct winemaking philosophy that is founded in the pursuit of quality and excellence through tradition and innovation. His son, Vincente Dalmau, took over in 1996 following the sudden death of his father. He immediately set about revolutionising the entire estate, investing in both the winery and the vineyards and focusing much more on higher quality, lower yields and limited production. Their wines are made in a “classic” Rioja style and receive long ageing in barrel before release. Their wines are concentrated and long-lived, both red and white, and some – like the Gran Reserva “Castillo Ygay” – have become legendary amongst Rioja lovers.

The grapes for the Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja come from an old, single vineyard called La Plana. The vineyard is located at an altitude of 485 metres above sea level within Murrieta’s 300 hectare Ygay estate. The vineyard surrounds the winery in the southern point of Rioja Alta. The vines were planted in 1950 on calcareous-clay soils and benefit from the highest altitude at the winery, ensuring a long ripening and elegant wines.

Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012 is a blend of 81% Tempranillo and 19% Mazuelo, with 34 months in 225l American oak barrels for the Tempranillo and 34 months in 225l French oak barrels for the Mazuelo. 

2012 was an excellent vintage in Rioja, but one of very low yields owing to the lack of water through the season. A hot summer was refreshed by late rains which led to small, concentrated berries, but crucially for Castillo Ygay with excellent freshness, thanks to the altitude of La Plana. Overall yields were reduced by 1/3 in 2012.