In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, spice
Palate: red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury
A barrel-selected Gran Reserva above the Reserva tier: long-aged, savoury and polished, blending the house's traditional and modern sides.
What it pairs with
-
Cordero asado al sarmiento
Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat. -
Chuleton de buey a la brasa
Find chuleton de buey a la brasa on TableJourney →
A thick aged-beef chop over embers meets the wine's savoury oak and grip. -
Jamon iberico
Cured Iberian ham echoes the wine's dried-cherry and leather register.
How to serve Muga Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Cordero asado al sarmiento, Chuleton de buey a la brasa, Jamon iberico. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
The Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial is Muga's long-aged barrel selection.
- 2010 — Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial established as a barrel selection
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Muga
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (70%), Garnacha (20%), Mazuelo (7%), Graciano (3%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 36 months in oak, then long bottle ageing
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 35 to 55 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8 to 25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 2010
Scores
- Tim Atkin 93 (2014 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Muga Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial
What does Muga Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial taste like?
On the nose, dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, spice. On the palate, red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. A barrel-selected Gran Reserva above the Reserva tier: long-aged, savoury and polished, blending the house's traditional and modern sides.
When should I drink Muga Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial?
Drink 8 to 25 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Muga Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial?
Cordero asado al sarmiento is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Chuleton de buey a la brasa and Jamon iberico. Vine-shoot-roasted suckling lamb is the canonical Rioja match; the wine's resolved tannins frame the sweet fat.
Is Muga Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial vegan?
No: the producer uses traditional animal-derived fining agents (typically egg whites or isinglass) during clarification, so the wine is not vegan.
What grapes are in Muga Gran Reserva Seleccion Especial?
The blend is Tempranillo (70%), Garnacha (20%), Mazuelo (7%), Graciano (3%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.