Bodega Marques de Murrieta : Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012

Characteristics and tasting advice for Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012 Bodega Marqués de Murrieta

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a morello cherry red hue.

Nose

Complex and intense, the nose opens with aromas of black cherries and ripe plums, interwoven with notes of tea leaves and cedar. The bouquet also reveals hints of Mediterranean herbs and dried flowers, accompanied by nuances of dates, prunes and spices.

Palate

On the palate, the wine unfurls with depth and balance. Polished, velvety tannins bring a satin-like texture, while the structure reveals remarkable freshness and vibrant citrus energy. Full of nuance, this harmonious wine offers a concentration of gently spicy, structured flavors, reflecting its maturity and complexity. The finish lingers elegantly, promising exceptional cellaring potential.

Food and wine pairing

This Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012 pairs beautifully with grilled red meats, game in sauce, as well as characterful aged cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012 will benefit from being decanted one to two hours before serving and served at a temperature of 16-18°C to fully reveal its aromatic range. This wine has the potential to age for several decades.

An exceptional wine from Rioja Alta, the flagship cuvée of Marqués de Murrieta

The estate

Founded in 1852 by Luciano de Murrieta, with the ambition of producing great wines with significant aging potential by applying techniques learned in Bordeaux, Bodega Marqués de Murrieta embodies the modern wine history of La Rioja. A true pioneer, it produced and exported the first Rioja wines outside Spain. The Finca Ygay estate spans 300 hectares in Rioja Alta, primarily growing Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Grenache. Since 1983, the Cebrián-Sagarriga family has run the estate, now led by Vicente D. Cebrián-Sagarriga and his sister Cristina. The blend of centuries-old tradition and ultra-modern facilities inaugurated in 2021 sets this iconic bodega apart.

The vineyard

Castillo Ygay comes exclusively from La Plana, an exceptional 40-hectare plot planted in 1950, located at 485 meters above sea level in the highest area of the Finca Ygay estate in Rioja Alta. This privileged terroir enjoys optimal conditions for growing Tempranillo and Mazuelo, enabling this iconic cuvée to be produced only in outstanding vintages.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012 are hand-harvested into small crates, with Tempranillo picked between September 17 and 19 and Mazuelo on September 25. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks for 10 to 12 days with regular pump-overs and rack-and-return. Tempranillo then rests for 34 months in 225-liter American oak barrels, while Mazuelo spends 34 months in French oak barrels of the same capacity. After blending, the wine continues aging for 20 months in concrete vats before bottling in May 2019.

Grape varieties

81% Tempranillo and 19% Mazuelo.