2011 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial

After the acclaimed vintage of 2009 and the 2010 (the 2010 has been voted best Spanish Wine by Winespectator and voted best wine in the world) there is now probably one of the most beautiful and deepest Castillo Ygay - the 2011 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial - the top model of Marques de Murrieta. The Yga Gran Reserva Especial is only made if the harvest is of excellent quality. The Castillo Ygay is always made from grapes coming from the La Plana single vineyard, planted in 1950 and located on a plateau at the highest point of the Finca Ygay at 485 meters above sea level. After 2011, it will be a few years to wait and it is still unclear what the next year will be, but only 2014 or 2015.

The 2011 Yga's is the 55th vintage since 1877, and is one of the best and healthiest in recent decades. The wine is deep, fresh, extremely concentrated and with a very refined tannin structure. Its style allows wine lovers to enjoy it on release, yet it shows impressive potential for aging. Only the most patient will be able to experience it with age!

The Tempranillo and the Mazuelo are harvested manually and the first selection already takes place in the vineyard and the second selection on the sorting tables. Only the best grapes are allowed in this top model. After fermentation, a long aging of 30 months follows on new and 2nd use barriques of both French and American oak. It then underwent 36 months of bottle aging on the domain. The Ygay is an expressive classic Rioja of great class. Ripe black fruit, cedar wood, a touch of spice, earthy tones and beautiful tannins. This beautiful and classic style Gran Reserva comes into its own best if you pour the wine into a carafe 1 to 2 hours in advance. This is still a baby, long and with depth and tannins that need to melt. In principle, the Ygay needs at least 10 years to get ready to drink, so open the first bottle from 2022 (until at least 2040).

The Yga Gran Reserva Especial is a meditation wine and a nice accompaniment to a slow-cooked Bresse pigeon, fried beef loin with wild mushrooms; or roast suckling pig with baked sour apple.

"As always Castillo Ygay is only elaborated in the best vintages: the 2011 has been rated by Rioja DOCa as Excellent. The Ygay's 55th vintage since 1877, one of the best and healthiest of the past decades. The wine is deep, fresh, extremely concentrated and with a very refined tannic structure. Its style enables wine enthusiasts to enjoy it upon release, yet it shows an impressive potential for aging. Only the most patient will be able to experience it with age!"
María Vargas, Marqués de Murrieta's Chief Winemaker