Bodegas
Muga is located in the historical Barrio de La Estación (railway
station district) in Haro. The 270,000 square foot facility is two
centuries old, built mainly of stone and oak. In fact, oak is paramount
in the winery. There are 14,000 barrels, made out of different types
of oak ranging in origin from from France (Allier, Tronçais or Jupilles),
America, Hungary, Russia and even a small consignment from Spain.
Bodegas
Muga vineyards are located on the foot of the Montes Obarenses, within
the area called Rioja Alta. The micro-climate is exceptional due,
on the one hand, to the singular geography and orientation of the
vines and, on the other hand, to the surrounding climates – a steady
blend of Mediterranian, Atlantic and Continental.
The soil
in this area is mostly clay and limestone, divided in small terroirs
with different physical and chemical qualities; each terroir has a
unique and defined personality. The range of climatic influences and
different soils define prolonged stages in the vine growth cycle.
Seleccion
Especial is estate grown 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and 10% Mazuelo
& Graciano, from a selection of the best vineyard sites on the south-
facing hillside plots. The vines are not clonal polycultures but rather
are propagated from generations of old vines indigenous to the property.
The wine
spends 6 months in large vats of American oak with 24 months in small
barriques of French and American oak. It was fined with egg whites
and bottled unfiltered.
Stephen
Tanzer’s IWC wrote
“Dark
red. Ripe cherry and cassis scents are complemented by toasty oak,
smoked meat and pungent herbs. Fat and ripe, offering deep cherry
and plum flavors; a dense, chewy texture; and supple tannins. This
needs hearty food. 90 points.”
The information
on this page comes in a presentation-quality pdf file: here
Shelf
talkers in pdf: here
Bodegas
Muga official site: here
