Rioja: Bodegas Altanza
Visit a unique Rioja winery and discover Altanza, a place where wine tourism goes far beyond a tour with tastings.
Structure
Drinking window
Latest scored vintage 2016: best 2021 to 2036.
vintage5 yrs20 yrs22 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2021 | 2016 | 93/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: red and black cherry, sweet spice, cedar, dried herb
Palate: ripe red fruit, spice, fine tannin, savoury
A barrel selection above the standard Reserva, blending Muga's traditional and modern leanings into a ripe, polished but savoury Rioja.
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 Seleccion Especial Reserva
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 Seleccion Especial is a step up from the regular Muga Reserva, a barrel selection aged a little over two years in mixed oak.
- 1989: Seleccion Especial introduced as a barrel-selection Reserva
Facts
- Producer
- Bodegas Muga · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (70%), Garnacha (20%), Mazuelo (7%), Graciano (3%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 26 months in French and American oak
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 28 to 45 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1989
Frequently asked about Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva
What does Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva taste like?
On the nose, red and black cherry, sweet spice, cedar, dried herb. On the palate, ripe red fruit, spice, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. A barrel selection above the standard Reserva, blending Muga's traditional and modern leanings into a ripe, polished but savoury Rioja.
When should I drink Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva?
Drink 5 to 20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva?
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 Seleccion Especial Reserva 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 Seleccion Especial Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (70%), Garnacha (20%), Mazuelo (7%), Graciano (3%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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