Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva Rioja

Description

Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva Rioja is a limited release wine and very much a classic, traditional Rioja which receives a long barrel ageing prior to release.

Marques de Murrieta was established in 1852 and is one of the oldest and most respected bodegas of Rioja. The bodega was acquired by D. Vicente Cebrián-Sagarriga, Count of Creixell 1983 and continue with a distinct winemaking philosophy that is founded in the pursuit of quality and excellence through tradition and innovation. His son, Vincente Dalmau, took over in 1996 following the sudden death of his father. He immediately set about revolutionising the entire estate, investing in both the winery and the vineyards and focussing much more on high quality, lower yields and limited production.

The grapes for Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva Rioja come entirely from the 300 hectare Ygay estate which is located in the southern part of the Rioja Alta wine growing region. The grapes hand-harvested and are destemmed prior to fermentation in stainless steel vat, with skin contact, for 9 days.The fermenting wine undergoes pumping over and punching down of the cap. The must is gently pressed in vertical presses with double screws which is smooth and slow to obtain maximum extraction of colour and tannin from the skins. The wine was aged for 29 months in 225 litre American oak bottles and for a minimum of 24 months in bottle prior to release.

Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva Rioja 2012 is a blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo, 3% Graciano and 2% Garnacha.