Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2011

Winery Background and History

Bodegas Marqués de Murrieta, founded in 1852 by the Marqués de Murrieta, holds a foundational role in Rioja’s winemaking legacy. The estate centers around the historic Castillo Ygay in Rioja Alta, which remains the heart of their vineyard operations. Acquired in 1983 by the Cebrián-Sagarriga family, the winery continues its pursuit of excellence—merging tradition with innovation under technical director María Vargas.

Producer and Winemaker

The 2011 Castillo Ygay benefits from the stewardship of the estate’s expert team. Under María Vargas’s leadership, this vintage was crafted from hand-harvested fruit from the La Plana vineyard. The meticulous process included destemming, controlled fermentation, and aging in oak, embodying the estate’s dedication to premium, terroir-driven Rioja.

Vineyards and Micro Climate

Fruit comes from La Plana, a single vineyard planted circa 1950 and situated at 485 meters above sea level—the highest point on the Ygay Estate. The calcareous-clay soils and altitude deliver both concentration and freshness, ideal for age-worthy, structured Rioja.

Vinification & Aging Methods

After manual harvest, grapes were destemmed, gently crushed, and fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for 11 days using daily remontage and pigeage. The wine aged for 24 months in 225 L American and French oak barrels and rested for three years in bottle before release.

Tasting Notes

Expect savory complexity: layers of iron, dried meat, tobacco, balsamic fruit, dried red berries, orange peel, leather, and dried mushrooms. Medium to full-bodied and linear, this Rioja is bright, precise, and savory—finishing long and floral.

Food & Wine Pairing

Pairs beautifully with wood pigeon in red wine sauce, wagyu tartare, hake cheeks with candied pepper, or Moliterno cheese with black truffles. A 20-minute decant is recommended. Serve at 18 °C (64 °F).

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve in a large Bordeaux-style glass at 18 °C, with a 20-minute decant to unleash its complexity.

Storage and Aging Potential

This is a wine built for longevity. With its structure and elegance, it can evolve gracefully for decades—continuing to develop layers of nuance over time.

Grape Varietals & Percentage Used

Approximately 84–85 % Tempranillo and 15–16 % Mazuelo (Cariñena).

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

Approximately 14 %.

Scores (sorted by highest to lowest)

• James Suckling: 98 points

• Robert Parker (Wine Advocate): 97 points

• Wine Enthusiast: 97 points (#11 Top 100 of 2022)

• Decanter Magazine: 97 points

• Vinous (Josh Raynolds): 95 points

• Wine Spectator: 94 points