2021 Marques de Murrieta Reserva Finca Ygay
De specificaties zoals vermeld bij de wijn (o.a. wijnjaar) en in de titel zijn leidend en er kunnen geen rechten worden ontleend aan de afbeelding die wordt getoond. Lees meer in onze Frequenty asked questions
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Grape | , , , |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14.5%) |
| Drink window | 2025 - 2035 |
| Available as of | Sep 30, 2025 |
In stock
323 items available
Backorder Information
It is possible to order this article in backorder. This is possible with items that we can generally have in stock again in 3-5 working days. You can simply order it, but it is important to mention that we only send the order when it is complete.
Description
The Marqués de Murrieta winery and the Finca Ygay
Marqués de Murrieta is one of Spain's oldest and most prestigious wineries. The estate was founded in 1852 by Luciano Murrieta, who exported the first Rioja to England, laying the foundation for the region's international reputation. The winery is located in the historic Castillo de Ygay, surrounded by 300 hectares of vineyards on the southernmost tip of the Rioja Alta. The combination of a rich history, modern techniques, and ongoing investment makes Murrieta a benchmark in the world of Spanish wine.
The Finca Ygay is the heart of the estate. The vineyards lie at an altitude of 320 to 485 meters and have primarily calcareous clay soils with alluvial influences. This terroir produces grapes with finesse, ripeness, and a beautiful freshness, essential for producing balanced wines with long aging potential.
The harvest and vinification of the 2021 vintage
The harvest took place from September 27 to October 15, 2021. Each variety and plot was harvested and vinified separately to optimally preserve the terroir's characteristics. The grapes were hand-picked and carefully destemmed, after which fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures for 8 to 10 days. Regular pumping and pigeage were carried out during this process to extract color, aroma, and fine tannins. After fermentation, the grapes were gently pressed in a vertical press, ensuring a pure extraction without harsh bittering agents.
The wine then matured for 26 months in 225-liter American oak barrels. This long aging adds structure and depth, while also preserving the freshness and vibrancy that characterize the 2021 vintage.
The grape varieties and their role
The blend consists of 86% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo, and 2% Garnacha Tinta. Tempranillo forms the backbone, providing ripe red fruit and elegance. Graciano brings freshness, spice, and a hint of bitterness that lends tension to the wine. Mazuelo adds structure and tannins, while Garnacha provides roundness and a touch of juicy sweetness. Together, these varietals create a harmonious and classic Rioja with a distinctive character.
Tasting note of the 2021 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva
The 2021 vintage displays a vibrant character. The aroma reveals red berries, blackberries, and spicy notes of rosemary and mint, supported by nuances of cedar and soft spices. The palate is fresh and energetic, with a beautiful structure and elegant acidity. The tannins are silky and well-integrated, leading to a long, refined finish with notes of wild berries and a hint of creamy raspberry. International critics consider this vintage to be among the best in recent years, praising its balance, complexity, and elegance.
An exceptional vintage according to the international press
The 2021 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva Finca Ygay has received high reviews worldwide. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it 95 points, highlighting the freshness, elegance, and typical Rioja style of this vintage. The wine is praised for its combination of power and finesse, with subtle tertiary aromas that indicate long aging potential. Other critics, including James Suckling and Decanter, also placed this wine in the highest echelons. This confirms 2021 as a benchmark vintage for the estate.
Would you like to order Marqués de Murrieta wines online?
If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.
Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.
Wine and food pairings with the 2021 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva
- Rack of lamb with rosemary and garlic – the spicy notes of the wine complement the roasted meat beautifully.
- Grilled sirloin steak with mushroom sauce – the wine's structure supports the full character of red meat and umami.
- Iberico Secreto with roasted peppers – this juicy wine combines elegantly with the refined fatty structure of Iberico.
- Venison stew with juniper berries – the earthy flavors and spices of the wine enhance the depth of the dish.
- Grilled tuna steak with soy marinade – the fresh acidity and subtle spiciness add tension to the full texture of the tuna.
- Truffle and Parmesan Risotto – the creaminess of the dish is balanced by the vibrant acidity and fruit of the wine.
Specifications
| Available as of | Sep 30, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Packing information | Box |
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Appellation | Rioja |
| Winery | Marques de Murrieta |
| Grape | Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Tempranillo |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2025 |
| Drinking till | 2035 |
| Alcohol % | 14.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | En Primeur |
| Parker rating | 95 |
| James Suckling rating | 94 |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
| Tasting Profiles | Aards, Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard, Romantisch |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$34
Drink Date:
2025 - 2038
Their flagship wine comes from one of the finest vintages in recent times. The 2021 Marqués de Murrieta was previously called the Reserva and still qualifies as such, but it's not included in the name now. It was produced with 86% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha Tinta from their 300 hectares of vines in their Ygay estate on limestone and clay soils with alluvial influence. The grapes were picked between the 27th of September and the 15th of October, and each plot and variety was vinified separately in stainless steel, matured in American oak barrels for 26 months, then blended and kept in concrete for a few months until bottling, which was a longer élevage this year. It's very spicy, peppery, with a combination of berry fruit and some incipient tertiary aromas, hints of forest floor and truffle. It's very Rioja, with clout, elegance and freshness and the elegant tannins that are the signature of 2021. It comes in at 14.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.6, denoting ripeness and balance. It's delicious, fresh and available. Bravo! This will be released in May 2025. 900,000 bottles produced. It was bottled from May to July 2024.
Marqués de Murrieta is evolving in their enotourism with a small hotel that should be ready for their 175th anniversary in 2027. But the main focus is still their vineyards, where they are going to continue investing. The range is constantly evolving; this year, they showed me the last vintage of the Gran Reserva, the 2018, and there will be some new wines next year.
Published: Feb 27, 2025
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
94
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 27
Marqués de Murrieta Rioja 2021
Sunday, Aug 04, 2024
Color
Red
Country
Spain
Region
La Rioja
Vintage
2021
Download Shelftalker
This shows vibrant cherries, spiced plums, blue fruit and superb balance with well-hidden oak. Firm and really harmonious, it has a bit more prominence of fruit and fine-grained tannins than the 2020. Drink from 2026.
Zekun Shuai
Senior Editor
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
94
Drinking Window
2025 - 2045
From: The Diverse Villages of Rioja: A New Trend Emerges (May 2025)
The 2021 Marqués de Murrieta blends 86% Tempranillo, 4% Mazuelo, 8% Graciano and 2% Garnacha. This aged for 26 months in barrels. The complex nose offers cherry, traces of camphor and cassis, dried flowers and blood orange. In the mouth, it's juicy, supple and layered, with flexible tannins and a rich, sustained finish. The 2021 is a refined, expressive red enhanced by an elegant vintage.
- By Joaquín Hidalgo on May 2025
Among the marquéses of Rioja, Murrieta stands out as one of the most modern. Owner Vicente Dalmau leads a team committed to redefining the region’s classics, which he refers to as “Rancid Rioja.” With a technologically advanced winery and a focus on precision viticulture, Marqués de Murrieta is embracing the new Rioja, with one foot in the past and the other in the future. Their pursuit of more precise winemaking, careful management of large production volumes, and calibrated aging where fruit takes precedence over oak makes Murrieta a winery reinventing Rioja on its own terms.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
97
Guía Proensa - 97 points
Guía ABC - 96 points
James Suckling - 96 points
Tim Atkin - 96 points
Guía Gourmets - 96 points
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Wijnhuis
Bodegas that bears his name, but is also considered to be the founder of the modern wine trade in the Rioja. Luciano Murrieta was born in 1822 in what was then the Spanish province of Peru. After the independence of Peru, he ended up in London. Here he marveled at the popularity of Bordeaux wines and was inspired by this style of winemaking, where the wines matured in wooden casks for a period of time. In 1852 he exported his first wines and was so successful that other vintners followed his techniques.
Today Marquès de Murrieta is the oldest active wine company in the Rioja. In 1983, the company was acquired by Duke of Creixell, Vincente Cebrián. This preserves the family element of the wine company. After his sudden death in 1996, his children led by Vicente jr took the helm and continued their father's perfectionism.
Vicente (2nd call sign Dalmau) was born in 1970. He spends his youth alternately in Madrid and Galicia, where he spends summers in Pazo Barrantes, the winery that has been owned by his family since the 16th century. His roots and the good times he spent in Galicia have forever given this area a special place in his heart.
After his studies in Madrid, he continued his education in the USA and after returning to Spain he completed his university education (Economics, Business & Law degrees). From that moment on, Vincente will fully focus on his father's company, of which he will lead after his unexpected death in 1996. In the years that followed, he and his sister Cristina revolutionized the bodega in a revolutionary way and the quality of the wines reached very high heights: they are now among the best in the world. The Cebrian-Sagarriga Suarez Llanos family owns two wineries; Marqués de Murrieta (Rioja DOCa) and Pazo de Barrantes (Rías Baixas DO).
The bodega has about 300 hectares of vineyards, and grows grapes such as tempranillo, garnacha, graciano and mazuelo for the red wines, and viura for the white wine. Of course, everything revolves around the highest quality. Tradition also plays a major role: Marqués de Murrieta makes classic Rioja. Tradition, however, is not the same as standstill, because, as Vicente Dalmau's father put it, you must constantly change everything so that everything can remain the same. That's exactly what happens. For example, the family had the old company building demolished and almost exactly the same rebuilt, but with the most modern gadgets. And that is also how she works on the wines: they are getting better, but never lose their identity.
All the vineyards of Finca Ygay (Marqués de Murrieta), together about 300 ha, are located at the bodega and are owned by the family. The now completely renovated Castillo Ygay is the headquarters of Marqués de Murrieta. Finca Ygay has significant differences in soil. The height of the vineyards varies from 300 to 500 m and the area falls under Rioja Alta. These differences in soil conditions give Murrieta the opportunity to produce varied wines.
The relatively cool location makes this area ideal for the production of the most refined wines. The largest vineyard: Valsalado produces the grapes for the Murrieta Reserva. The highest part of the domain is called La Plana. The grapes from this area (Tempranillo and Mazuelo), from old vines on loam, form the basis for the world-famous Gran Reserva Especial Castillo Ygay (which is made only in good years) and the excellent white wine Capellania. This wine, aged for 15 months in French oak; a Burgundian-looking wine, but also a beautiful and modern white Rioja. The somewhat lower Las Canajas vineyard, where Cabernet Sauvignon was planted in the 1980s, has a pebble and calcareous clay soil. Since 1994, the grapes from this area have been the basis for Dalmau, the "modern" Murrieta, named after Vicente Dalmau jr., One of the current owners.
Very rare is the rare white Castillo Ygay from 1986 (100 Parker points!), But still very vital! This wine is an assembly of Viura and Malvasia.
The oenologist Maria Vargas, originally from Argentina, has been responsible for the winery's wines since 1995. A winged statement of her is that oak wood in a wine is like a woman's perfume, it should never predominate. She subtly uses American oak from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Tempranillo is the main blue grape, with smaller quantities of Graciano, Garnacha and Carinena and Marqués de Murrieta is one of the few Bodegas in Rioja to use Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the preparation of their wines. Viura and a very small amount of Malvasia is mainly cultivated as a white grape.
Click here for a nice video report of this famous house
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The Marqués de Murrieta winery and the Finca Ygay
Marqués de Murrieta is one of Spain's oldest and most prestigious wineries. The estate was founded in 1852 by Luciano Murrieta, who exported the first Rioja to England, laying the foundation for the region's international reputation. The winery is located in the historic Castillo de Ygay, surrounded by 300 hectares of vineyards on the southernmost tip of the Rioja Alta. The combination of a rich history, modern techniques, and ongoing investment makes Murrieta a benchmark in the world of Spanish wine.
The Finca Ygay is the heart of the estate. The vineyards lie at an altitude of 320 to 485 meters and have primarily calcareous clay soils with alluvial influences. This terroir produces grapes with finesse, ripeness, and a beautiful freshness, essential for producing balanced wines with long aging potential.
The harvest and vinification of the 2021 vintage
The harvest took place from September 27 to October 15, 2021. Each variety and plot was harvested and vinified separately to optimally preserve the terroir's characteristics. The grapes were hand-picked and carefully destemmed, after which fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperatures for 8 to 10 days. Regular pumping and pigeage were carried out during this process to extract color, aroma, and fine tannins. After fermentation, the grapes were gently pressed in a vertical press, ensuring a pure extraction without harsh bittering agents.
The wine then matured for 26 months in 225-liter American oak barrels. This long aging adds structure and depth, while also preserving the freshness and vibrancy that characterize the 2021 vintage.
The grape varieties and their role
The blend consists of 86% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo, and 2% Garnacha Tinta. Tempranillo forms the backbone, providing ripe red fruit and elegance. Graciano brings freshness, spice, and a hint of bitterness that lends tension to the wine. Mazuelo adds structure and tannins, while Garnacha provides roundness and a touch of juicy sweetness. Together, these varietals create a harmonious and classic Rioja with a distinctive character.
Tasting note of the 2021 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva
The 2021 vintage displays a vibrant character. The aroma reveals red berries, blackberries, and spicy notes of rosemary and mint, supported by nuances of cedar and soft spices. The palate is fresh and energetic, with a beautiful structure and elegant acidity. The tannins are silky and well-integrated, leading to a long, refined finish with notes of wild berries and a hint of creamy raspberry. International critics consider this vintage to be among the best in recent years, praising its balance, complexity, and elegance.
An exceptional vintage according to the international press
The 2021 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva Finca Ygay has received high reviews worldwide. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it 95 points, highlighting the freshness, elegance, and typical Rioja style of this vintage. The wine is praised for its combination of power and finesse, with subtle tertiary aromas that indicate long aging potential. Other critics, including James Suckling and Decanter, also placed this wine in the highest echelons. This confirms 2021 as a benchmark vintage for the estate.
Would you like to order Marqués de Murrieta wines online?
If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.
Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.
Wine and food pairings with the 2021 Marqués de Murrieta Reserva
- Rack of lamb with rosemary and garlic – the spicy notes of the wine complement the roasted meat beautifully.
- Grilled sirloin steak with mushroom sauce – the wine's structure supports the full character of red meat and umami.
- Iberico Secreto with roasted peppers – this juicy wine combines elegantly with the refined fatty structure of Iberico.
- Venison stew with juniper berries – the earthy flavors and spices of the wine enhance the depth of the dish.
- Grilled tuna steak with soy marinade – the fresh acidity and subtle spiciness add tension to the full texture of the tuna.
- Truffle and Parmesan Risotto – the creaminess of the dish is balanced by the vibrant acidity and fruit of the wine.
| Available as of | Sep 30, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Packing information | Box |
| Type of Wine | Red |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Appellation | Rioja |
| Winery | Marques de Murrieta |
| Grape | Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Tempranillo |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Drinking as of | 2025 |
| Drinking till | 2035 |
| Alcohol % | 14.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Promotion | En Primeur |
| Parker rating | 95 |
| James Suckling rating | 94 |
| Vinous rating | 94 |
| Tasting Profiles | Aards, Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard, Romantisch |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
Luis Gutiérrez
Release Price:
$34
Drink Date:
2025 - 2038
Their flagship wine comes from one of the finest vintages in recent times. The 2021 Marqués de Murrieta was previously called the Reserva and still qualifies as such, but it's not included in the name now. It was produced with 86% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha Tinta from their 300 hectares of vines in their Ygay estate on limestone and clay soils with alluvial influence. The grapes were picked between the 27th of September and the 15th of October, and each plot and variety was vinified separately in stainless steel, matured in American oak barrels for 26 months, then blended and kept in concrete for a few months until bottling, which was a longer élevage this year. It's very spicy, peppery, with a combination of berry fruit and some incipient tertiary aromas, hints of forest floor and truffle. It's very Rioja, with clout, elegance and freshness and the elegant tannins that are the signature of 2021. It comes in at 14.3% alcohol with a pH of 3.6, denoting ripeness and balance. It's delicious, fresh and available. Bravo! This will be released in May 2025. 900,000 bottles produced. It was bottled from May to July 2024.
Marqués de Murrieta is evolving in their enotourism with a small hotel that should be ready for their 175th anniversary in 2027. But the main focus is still their vineyards, where they are going to continue investing. The range is constantly evolving; this year, they showed me the last vintage of the Gran Reserva, the 2018, and there will be some new wines next year.
Published: Feb 27, 2025
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
94
Avg Price (ex-tax)
$ 27
Marqués de Murrieta Rioja 2021
Sunday, Aug 04, 2024
Color
Red
Country
Spain
Region
La Rioja
Vintage
2021
Download Shelftalker
This shows vibrant cherries, spiced plums, blue fruit and superb balance with well-hidden oak. Firm and really harmonious, it has a bit more prominence of fruit and fine-grained tannins than the 2020. Drink from 2026.
Zekun Shuai
Senior Editor
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
94
Drinking Window
2025 - 2045
From: The Diverse Villages of Rioja: A New Trend Emerges (May 2025)
The 2021 Marqués de Murrieta blends 86% Tempranillo, 4% Mazuelo, 8% Graciano and 2% Garnacha. This aged for 26 months in barrels. The complex nose offers cherry, traces of camphor and cassis, dried flowers and blood orange. In the mouth, it's juicy, supple and layered, with flexible tannins and a rich, sustained finish. The 2021 is a refined, expressive red enhanced by an elegant vintage.
- By Joaquín Hidalgo on May 2025
Among the marquéses of Rioja, Murrieta stands out as one of the most modern. Owner Vicente Dalmau leads a team committed to redefining the region’s classics, which he refers to as “Rancid Rioja.” With a technologically advanced winery and a focus on precision viticulture, Marqués de Murrieta is embracing the new Rioja, with one foot in the past and the other in the future. Their pursuit of more precise winemaking, careful management of large production volumes, and calibrated aging where fruit takes precedence over oak makes Murrieta a winery reinventing Rioja on its own terms.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
97
Guía Proensa - 97 points
Guía ABC - 96 points
James Suckling - 96 points
Tim Atkin - 96 points
Guía Gourmets - 96 points
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Bodegas that bears his name, but is also considered to be the founder of the modern wine trade in the Rioja. Luciano Murrieta was born in 1822 in what was then the Spanish province of Peru. After the independence of Peru, he ended up in London. Here he marveled at the popularity of Bordeaux wines and was inspired by this style of winemaking, where the wines matured in wooden casks for a period of time. In 1852 he exported his first wines and was so successful that other vintners followed his techniques.
Today Marquès de Murrieta is the oldest active wine company in the Rioja. In 1983, the company was acquired by Duke of Creixell, Vincente Cebrián. This preserves the family element of the wine company. After his sudden death in 1996, his children led by Vicente jr took the helm and continued their father's perfectionism.
Vicente (2nd call sign Dalmau) was born in 1970. He spends his youth alternately in Madrid and Galicia, where he spends summers in Pazo Barrantes, the winery that has been owned by his family since the 16th century. His roots and the good times he spent in Galicia have forever given this area a special place in his heart.
After his studies in Madrid, he continued his education in the USA and after returning to Spain he completed his university education (Economics, Business & Law degrees). From that moment on, Vincente will fully focus on his father's company, of which he will lead after his unexpected death in 1996. In the years that followed, he and his sister Cristina revolutionized the bodega in a revolutionary way and the quality of the wines reached very high heights: they are now among the best in the world. The Cebrian-Sagarriga Suarez Llanos family owns two wineries; Marqués de Murrieta (Rioja DOCa) and Pazo de Barrantes (Rías Baixas DO).
The bodega has about 300 hectares of vineyards, and grows grapes such as tempranillo, garnacha, graciano and mazuelo for the red wines, and viura for the white wine. Of course, everything revolves around the highest quality. Tradition also plays a major role: Marqués de Murrieta makes classic Rioja. Tradition, however, is not the same as standstill, because, as Vicente Dalmau's father put it, you must constantly change everything so that everything can remain the same. That's exactly what happens. For example, the family had the old company building demolished and almost exactly the same rebuilt, but with the most modern gadgets. And that is also how she works on the wines: they are getting better, but never lose their identity.
All the vineyards of Finca Ygay (Marqués de Murrieta), together about 300 ha, are located at the bodega and are owned by the family. The now completely renovated Castillo Ygay is the headquarters of Marqués de Murrieta. Finca Ygay has significant differences in soil. The height of the vineyards varies from 300 to 500 m and the area falls under Rioja Alta. These differences in soil conditions give Murrieta the opportunity to produce varied wines.
The relatively cool location makes this area ideal for the production of the most refined wines. The largest vineyard: Valsalado produces the grapes for the Murrieta Reserva. The highest part of the domain is called La Plana. The grapes from this area (Tempranillo and Mazuelo), from old vines on loam, form the basis for the world-famous Gran Reserva Especial Castillo Ygay (which is made only in good years) and the excellent white wine Capellania. This wine, aged for 15 months in French oak; a Burgundian-looking wine, but also a beautiful and modern white Rioja. The somewhat lower Las Canajas vineyard, where Cabernet Sauvignon was planted in the 1980s, has a pebble and calcareous clay soil. Since 1994, the grapes from this area have been the basis for Dalmau, the "modern" Murrieta, named after Vicente Dalmau jr., One of the current owners.
Very rare is the rare white Castillo Ygay from 1986 (100 Parker points!), But still very vital! This wine is an assembly of Viura and Malvasia.
The oenologist Maria Vargas, originally from Argentina, has been responsible for the winery's wines since 1995. A winged statement of her is that oak wood in a wine is like a woman's perfume, it should never predominate. She subtly uses American oak from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Tempranillo is the main blue grape, with smaller quantities of Graciano, Garnacha and Carinena and Marqués de Murrieta is one of the few Bodegas in Rioja to use Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the preparation of their wines. Viura and a very small amount of Malvasia is mainly cultivated as a white grape.
Click here for a nice video report of this famous house
Wine Trivia
🍷 Enjoyed these wine facts? Share your newfound knowledge with fellow wine enthusiasts!
Discover Wine Trivia
Sign in to unlock fascinating facts about this wine and expand your knowledge.
Sign In