Bodega Marqués de Murrieta : Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012

Tasting characteristics and tips for Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012 Bodega Marqués de Murrieta

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a bright, 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 unfolds with depth and balance. Polished, velvety tannins bring a satin-like texture, while the structure reveals remarkable freshness. Layered and nuanced, this harmonious wine offers a concentrated core of slightly spicy, full-bodied flavors, reflecting its maturity and complexity. The finish lingers elegantly, promising outstanding aging potential.

Food and wine pairings

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 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, Marqués de Murrieta’s flagship cuvée

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 winemaking history of La Rioja. A true pioneer, it produced and exported the first Rioja wines outside of Spain. The Finca Ygay estate spans 300 hectares in Rioja Alta, planted primarily to Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Grenache. Since 1983, the Cebrián-Sagarriga family has run the property, now led by Vicente D. Cebrián-Sagarriga and his sister Cristina. The combination of centuries-old tradition and ultra-modern facilities inaugurated in 2021 sets this emblematic 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 benefits from optimal conditions for growing Tempranillo and Mazuelo, allowing this iconic cuvée to be produced only in outstanding vintages.

Vinification and aging

The grapes for Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012 are harvested by hand 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 is then aged for 34 months in 225-liter American oak barrels, while Mazuelo spends 34 months in French oak barrels of the same size. After blending, the wine continues aging for 20 months in concrete tanks before bottling in May 2019.

Grape varieties

81% Tempranillo and 19% Mazuelo.