Muga - Rioja Reserva 2022 (750ml)
Price: $35.99
| Producer | Muga |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Varietal | Tempranillo |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Sku | 65667 |
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Founded in 1932 by husband and wife team - Isaac Muga and Aurora Caño, the Muga Family is synonymous with tradition and the skill of an artisan. Three generations have now contributed to the history of this Rioja cellar.
Muga Description
The 2022 harvest, which was hot in character with early ripening, produced a wine with great aromatic intensity. A wine with a marked fruity profile, with clean aromas and delicate reminders of the undergrowth. The ageing is very well integrated, enhancing the freshness and complexity. On the palate it is well-balanced, with firm but silky tannins, good structure and a long finish. It stands out for its perfectly balanced acidity and soft tannins. Perfect for enjoying now, but again thanks to its great balance and structure, it can remain in the bottle for several years.
Wine Advocate: 93 Points
The 2022 Reserva, sold as Crianza in Spain, has more tertiary notes than other people's Gran Reserva, even though it has a very classical profile. It is mostly Tempranillo with some Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano from vineyards no more than 25 kilometers from the winery in Haro, cropped from a warm and dry year. Here, what they did was wait; it rained a little, the plants unblocked and they had the patience to wait for the grapes to ripen fully. So, the grapes were in a very healthy state, and winemaker Isaac Muga likes to ferment the grapes destemmed and lightly crushed in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and then mature the wine in 90% French and 10% American oak barrels for 22 months, with racking every eight to nine months. It has good ripeness, 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.59 and 5.45 grams of acidity, and it's medium- to full bodied, concentrated but sleek and polished, with fine-grained tannins, very supple flavors and a chalky finish. It still has some toasty notes in the finish that should integrate with a little bit more time. 945,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2025. They are very happy with 2022, and they even produced Prado Enea and a tiny quantity of Aro.
Vinous: 91 Points
The 2022 Reserva was aged 24 months in casks made in Muga's own cooperage (80% French oak, 20% American) and blends Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano. On the nose, fine oak tones of cedar, sandalwood and subtle spice frame red and black fruit with balsamic hints. The palate is dry and juicy, with fine, reactive tannins that lend a slightly compact structure. Fruit and gentle grip echo through the finish.
