Name: Bodegas Muga Rioja Seleccion Especial 2021 750ml
Brand: Bodegas Muga
SKU: 1027131
Price: 39.94 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 94.8 (4 reviews)

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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.

WA 95pts

Wine Advocate

The 2021 Selección Especial, is always their most gastronomical red, produced with a blend of the four traditional varieties from Rioja—Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano. The grapes fermented in oak vats with moderate extraction, and the wine matured in French oak barrels built by their coopers for 26 months, with racking every eight to nine months. Like many others, they are in love with the wines from 2021, a year that was not easy but produced vibrant wines with lots of freshness and a combination of power and elegance. This wine has evolved over the years, going more toward a selection of vineyards rather than a selection of barrels, which is how it started. It combines classical and more modern characteristics in a fantastic vintage that is evolving very nicely in bottle; they called it a traditional Rioja with a bit of rock and roll! It comes in at 14.5% alcohol, with a pH of 3.56 and 5.91 grams of acidity and fine-grained tannins. It's very tasty, savory and almost salty. 290,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2024 after being fined with egg whites.

JS 95pts

James Suckling

Fresh, plush but restrained with blackberries, cedar, graphite, pine, cocoa powder and incense. The fine wood is closely knit to the deep, vivid black fruit with medium to full body and polished tannins. The lengthy finish is structured and caressing. A blend of tempranillo, garnacha, graciano and mazuelo. Drink or hold.

JD 95pts

Jeb Dunnuck

Typically a fall release, the 2021 Muga Seleccion Especial is an exceptional wine from an exceptional vintage, combining 80% Tempranillo with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo from mostly its own vineyards. Gorgeous red and black berry fruit with citrus undertones carry a plush, generous, and full-bodied palate with an undeniable lightness of being. It spends 26 months in 40% new oak. There’s nuanced baking spice, dried herb, and lavender, supple tannins, and moderate tension, the acidity able to retain freshness throughout. Age 15-20 years.

VM 94pts

Vinous Media

The 2021 Selección Especial, the classic house blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo from Rioja Alta, reflects the finesse of the vintage. Aromas of plum, blackberry and a touch of raspberry are lifted by delicate balsamic hints. On the palate, it is dry and moderately compact, with chalky grip and long, savory flavor. Delicacy, energy and juiciness are kept in balanced interplay by the vintage.