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 2015: best 2023 to 2040.
vintage8 yrs25 yrs27 yrs
Critic scores
| Critic | Vintage | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Atkin reviewed 2022 | 2015 | 93/100 |
Scores as published by each critic for the vintage shown.
In the glass
Aroma: dried cherry, tobacco, cedar, balsamic, spice
Palate: red fruit, leather, fine tannin, savoury
The estate's classical Gran Reserva from the Ygay vineyard: long-aged, savoury and balanced, between the Reserva and the flagship Castillo Ygay.
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 Marques de Murrieta Gran 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 Gran Reserva is the estate's long-aged classical red from Ygay fruit.
- 1985: Modern Murrieta Gran Reserva style established
Facts
- Producer
- Marques de Murrieta · visiting guide
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (86%), Garnacha (7%), Mazuelo (4%), Graciano (3%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 30 months in oak, then long bottle ageing
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 30 to 50 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8 to 25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1985
Frequently asked about Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva
What does Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva 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. The estate's classical Gran Reserva from the Ygay vineyard: long-aged, savoury and balanced, between the Reserva and the flagship Castillo Ygay.
When should I drink Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva?
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 Marques de Murrieta Gran 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 Marques de Murrieta Gran 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 Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (86%), Garnacha (7%), Mazuelo (4%), Graciano (3%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.
Tags
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