Bodegas Muga Rioja Aro 2021 750ml

Name: Bodegas Muga Rioja Aro 2021 750ml
Brand: Bodegas Muga
SKU: 1042588
Price: 379.94 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 97 (5 reviews)

Case of 3

Sample image only. Please see Item description for product Information. When ordering, the item shipped will match the product listing if there are any discrepancies. Do not order solely on the label if you feel it does not match product description.

SKU 1042588

$1,139.82/case

$379.94/bottle

Tariffs included

Availability: This is a Long-term Pre-arrival item and is available for online ordering only. This item will ship on a future date after a 4-8 months transfer time. For more about Pre-arrival orders, see FAQ.

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Minimum order 3 bottles

JD 100pts

WA 97pts

JS 97pts

WS 96pts

VM 95pts

See professional reviews

The impeccable 2021 Aro is a triple-selection of vines from six different Muga vineyards, all planted to older vines, a selection of a selection resulting in 70% Tempranillo and 30% Graciano here. The addition of Graciano is bold and groundbreaking; very few wines at this level of quality tend to include it, but here we are, it’s made its case. Not made every year, it was produced in 2010, 2015, 2016, 2019 (another 100-point year), and 2021, with about 6,200 bottles made, but there will only be 2,000 bottles or so of the 2022. Black olive, balsamic, textured woody notes, and a depth of full-bodied berry fruit meld together seamlessly across velvety tannins and a firm structure. It should hit its prime in about 8-10 years and glide elegantly into the future another 20-30.

Country: Spain
Region: La Rioja
Appellation: Rioja

Size: 750ml
Color: Red
Alcohol by Vol: 15.0%

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SKU: 1042588 Category: Pre-arrival

More about this item

Winery

Bodegas Muga

Shop all from Bodegas Muga

Varietal

Tempranillo

There are plenty of notable native Spanish grapes which have made a big impression on the wine world at large, but none are as renowned or as widely loved as the Tempranillo varietal. This black skinned grape has been used for wine making for centuries, with several ancient civilizations noticing the fact that it is highly versatile and holds some delicious flavors and aromas, perfect for those looking for a powerful yet elegant grape for their wines. Tempranillo often causes winemakers some trouble, however, as it is highly susceptible to many diseases. Despite this, plenty continue to persevere with this varietal, as it is perfect for producing delicious and complex single variety and blended wines, packed full of classic Spanish flavors and plenty of aromatic and intense surprises.

Country

Spain

Ever since the Phoenicians and Romans brought their knowledge of vine cultivation to Spanish soils, the country's culture has grown alongside wine production, with wine being a vital part of Spanish identity and Spanish traditions. Each region of Spain has a wine quite distinct from the others, and it is produced by smallholders and families as much as it is by large companies and established wineries. From the relatively mild and lush regions of La Rioja to the arid plateaus that surround Madrid, grapes are grown in abundance for the now booming Spanish wine industry, and new laws and regulations have recently been put in place to keep the country's standards high. By combining traditional practices with modern technology, Spanish wineries are continuing to produce distinctive wines of great character, flavor and aroma, with the focus shifting in recent decades to quality over quantity.

Region

La Rioja

La Rioja is by far the most famous wine region of Spain, and remains one of the world's great wine producing regions, consistently offering deep, complex red wines of character and distinction, partly due to the fact that La Rioja benefits from excellent soils, rich in minerals and nutrients, and plenty of sunshine. The climatic conditions allow the fine grape varietals to reach full ripeness and express plenty of the best features of their terroir, making La Rioja wines some of the most interesting to have ever come out of Europe. The Cantabrian mountains to the north provide the perfect shelter from the colder, wetter influences of the Atlantic oceans, and in the beloved vineyards of La Rioja, wineries have been cultivating exceedingly flavorful Tempranillo grapes for generations for the inclusion in their fine single variety and blended wines.

Appellation

Rioja

Rioja, a renowned wine appellation in Spain, stands as an emblem of the country's winemaking heritage and innovation. What makes Rioja unique is its commitment to blending traditional and modern winemaking methods. Primarily crafted from Tempranillo, with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo as supporting players, Rioja wines showcase a remarkable balance of fruit, oak, and complex aging. Rioja's classification system, featuring Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva, delineates the aging periods, highlighting the region's dedication to quality. The use of American oak barrels imparts distinctive vanilla and coconut notes, contributing to Rioja's recognizable profile. The diverse terroir, from the high-altitude vineyards of Rioja Alta to the warmer Rioja Baja, adds depth and complexity to the wines. Exploring Rioja allows enthusiasts to savor the rich tapestry of Spanish winemaking, where historic bodegas coexist with modern practices, resulting in wines that seamlessly marry tradition and innovation, offering a glimpse into the soul of Spanish viticulture.

Ratings & Reviews

JD 100pts

Jeb Dunnuck

WA 97pts

Wine Advocate

I was eager to taste the 2021 Aro, a wine produced only in special years when the Graciano ripens thoroughly, as it represents a significant percentage of the blend here; the other grape used is Tempranillo. The grapes fermented in small oak vats with indigenous yeasts, and the wine matured in new French oak barrels for 18 months. This is their most exclusive wine; only 6,194 bottles were produced in 2021. It was bottled in October 2023. The next vintage will be 2022, but it was not made in 2023 or 2024.

JS 97pts

James Suckling

Such depth and concentration that absorbs the oak spices. In fact, this is a bit closed now. Some crushed violets, blackberries, incense, dark chocolate and black cherries. Profound, full and very powerful, with stacks of dusty tannins. A lot of potential ahead. Drink from 2027.

WS 96pts

Wine Spectator

A rich red, offering depth and focus, with an enticing core of blackberry coulis and plum sauce, plus accents of star anise, wild thyme and ground coffee brightened by mouthwatering acidity and well-meshed, muscular tannins. Long, expressive and harmonious, with pretty floral, spice and mineral aromatics echoing on the finish. Tempranillo and Graciano. Drink now through 2045. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

VM 95pts

Vinous Media

The 2021 Aro combines Tempranillo with about 30% Graciano from Rioja Alta and was aged 18 months in new French oak. On the nose, intense aromas of blackberry, balsamic notes, fine oak and violet mingle. The palate is creamy and plush, offering a generous yet controlled frame and well-integrated wood. A modern, polished Rioja of considerable depth.

Winery Notes

A reddish colour with violet hues, a deep robe and very intense aromas on the nose, in which the well-integrated oak predominates – revealing its high quality- with cloves, vanilla and lactic notes. The fruity sensations dominate, with reminders of red fruit and very ripe wild berries (blackberries, redcurrants, wild strawberries) and floral notes (violet petals). Spicy notes from the ageing with cinnamon and black pepper. With the very well-integrated wood which denotes a high quality in its selection. On the palate we find a wine with very good backbone and acidity, fresh and with a presence of rounded tannins. The finish is very long. It has great cellaring potential and a persistent, full, elegant aftertaste.

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Bodegas Muga Rioja Aro 2021 750ml

Case of 3

More Vintages:

Winery

Bodegas Muga

Varietal

Tempranillo

Country

Spain

Region

La Rioja

Appellation

Rioja

Jeb Dunnuck

Wine Advocate

James Suckling

Wine Spectator

Vinous Media

Winery Notes

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