Wine Advisor
Marques de Murrieta, Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012
View analysis
Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Luis Gutiérrez
The 2012 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial was produced with a blend of 81% Tempranillo and 19% Mazuelo (Cariñena) from the plot La Plana in the Ygay estate, which was planted in 1950 at 485 meters above sea level, the highest in the Ygay property. The Tempranillo was picked between September 17th and 19th, and the Mazuelo was harvested on September 25th. The bunches were destemmed and lightly crushed and put to ferment in stainless steel for 10 days with constant pump-overs and délestages. The Tempranillo matured for 34 months in American oak barrels, and the Mazuelo also matured for 34 months but in French barriques. It was then blended and put in concrete for a further 20 months. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.65 and 5.8 grams of acidity (measured in tartaric acid per liter). It seems to follow the style of the 2011, perhaps somewhere between the 2010 and 2011—very classical, with notes of earth, cedar, spice and meat. The palate is polished, sleek and elegant with a touch of earthy rusticity. 103,216 bottles, 3,121 magnums and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in May 2019. No 2013, 2014 or 2015 will be produced, so from here, they will jump to 2016 to be released in 2026 or 2027. I look forward to it, and I'm intrigued about what I'm going to find when I taste it.
About the Producer
The vineyards of the Marquis de Mleda are located in the Rioja Alta region of Rioja, close to the Sierra de Cantabria in the north, with a total vineyard area of 300 hectares. The vineyard has a temperate continental climate, with hot and humid summers and cold and drier winters, with an even distribution of precipitation throughout the year. The vineyards are mainly planted with red grape varieties such as Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Viura. other white grape varieties. The Marquis de Mulleda has always implemented strict management of the vineyards in order to obtain the highest quality grapes and produce wines of excellent quality. The winery now owns wine brands such as Capellania, Castillo Ygay, Dalmau and Marques De Murrieta, among which the Marques de Murrieta series is an international brand. Well-known wine brands, while the Dalma range is a new selection of wine brands. The various series of wines produced by the winery are loved and sought after by consumers all over the world.
