2011 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Magnum

After the acclaimed vintage of 2009 and 2010 (the 2010 was voted best Spanish Wine by Winespectator and voted best wine in the world) comes January 2022 probably one of the most beautiful and deepest Castillo Ygay - the 2011 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial - the top model from Marques de Murrieta. The Ygay Gran Reserva Especial is only made if the harvest is of excellent quality. The Castillo Ygay is always made from grapes 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 of waiting and it is still unclear what the next year will be, but only after 2014 or 2015.

This is a 1.5 liter magnum in a wooden box (OWC)

The 2011 Ygay's is the 55th year since 1877, one of the best and healthiest in decades. The wine is deep, fresh, extremely concentrated and with a very refined tannin structure. Its style allows wine enthusiasts to enjoy it on release, but 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 follows a long maturation of 30 months on new and 2nd use barriques of both French and American oak. It then undergone 36 months of bottle aging on the estate. The Ygay is an expressive classic Rioja of great class. Ripe black fruit, cedar, a hint of spice, earthy notes and beautiful tannins. This beautiful and classic style Gran Reserva comes into its own 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 to melt. In principle, the Ygay needs at least 10 years to drink, so open the first bottle from 2022 (until at least 2040).

The Ygay 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