"Black cherry mingles with light herbal and smoky flavors in this firm, fresh red, with an earthy note adding depth. The tannins are firm, the acidity fresh. Light-bodied, but has drive. Drink now through 2014. 4,000 cases imported." (WS)
"The 2007 Reserva is a blend of 70% Tempranillo with the balance Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano aged initially for 6 months in wood vats followed by 24 months in 60% new French and American oak prior to bottling without filtration. It displays classic Rioja aromas of cedar, leather, mineral, a hint of balsamic, and assorted black fruits. Layered on the palate but slightly austere at present, it has the structure to evolve for another 4-6 years at which point it is likely to have filled out thus meriting a higher rating. Drink this impressive Rioja from 2015 to 2027.
Muga’s Blanco is always one of the better values in Spanish white wine." (WA)
"($28) (70% tempranillo and 20% garnacha, with mazuelo and graciano): Deep ruby. Powerful cherry and blackberry on the nose, with alluring smoked meat and licorice notes and a suggestion of candied rose. Full, fleshy dark berry and bitter cherry flavors are lifted by a gentle mineral note and are supported by silky tannins. Gains sweetness on the persistent finish, which features an exotic note of resiny, cured tobacco. This is the only wine that Muga commercialized from the 2007 vintage." (IWC)
"Earth, cherry, spice and leather aromas are subtle and do not overpower. The palate is kind of snappy and tangy, which may be due to 20% Graciano in the blend. Flavors of tomato, herbs and red berry are firm and perky, while the finish is dry and tight. Drink now through 2014." (WE)
Winery Notes:
Issac Muga and his wife, Aurora Cano, brought together two families of traditional wine makers in 1932, and created personalized internationally renowned wines, growing just as rapidly as the demand. The vineyard is still family own and operated. Located on the slopes of the Obarenes Mountains, terraces form small series of vine plots. The soil is clay, but each plot retains significant differences causing great varieties in wine styles. Muga is known to be very traditional in their winemaking practices. All aging is done in new oak vats and their aging techniques are part of what makes Muga so unique. With these aging techniques each wine gives off a taste, smell, and appearance of a wine in a higher level, for example Crianzas taste like Reservas, and Reservas like Gran Reservas. The Muga artisan-style of wine making, especially involving the aging processes, show the great attention to detail expressed by this winemaker. Muga even has its own cooperage, buying French and American oak, and crafting the wine barrels themselves. Muga also claims a long-term bottling process, which they call Prado Enea. This is mainly done with the Tempranillo grape and about 20% of either Garnacha, Graciano, or Mazuelo.
One of the great, traditional examples of Rioja. The vineyards are planted on a mix of clay-limestone, and clay with iron soils. This is the only winery left in Spain that uses only oak throughout the entire vinification process, which is very traditional and artisanal. They have their own cooperage and import the oak directly from the United States and France. |
