In the glass
Aroma: red and black cherry, vanilla, dried herb, tobacco
Palate: ripe cherry, sweet spice, fine tannin, savoury
The estate's classically styled Reserva from the Ygay vineyard: ripe but savoury, with American-oak spice over a firm, fresh Tempranillo core. A consistent benchmark Reserva.
What it pairs with
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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 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 estate Reserva draws on the Ygay vineyard and is aged around two years in oak, sitting between the value tier and the prestige Castillo Ygay.
- 1983 — Modern Murrieta Reserva style established under the Cebrian-Sagarriga era
Facts
- Producer
- Marques de Murrieta
- Grapes
- Tempranillo (86%), Garnacha (7%), Mazuelo (4%), Graciano (3%)
- Classification
- DOCa Rioja
- Oak
- Around 21 to 24 months in mostly American oak
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 18 to 30 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5 to 20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1983
Scores
- Tim Atkin 93 (2017 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Marques de Murrieta Reserva
What does Marques de Murrieta Reserva taste like?
On the nose, red and black cherry, vanilla, dried herb, tobacco. On the palate, ripe cherry, sweet spice, fine tannin, savoury. Structurally full-bodied, medium tannins, high acidity with a long finish. The estate's classically styled Reserva from the Ygay vineyard: ripe but savoury, with American-oak spice over a firm, fresh Tempranillo core. A consistent benchmark Reserva.
When should I drink Marques de Murrieta 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 Marques de Murrieta 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 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 Reserva?
The blend is Tempranillo (86%), Garnacha (7%), Mazuelo (4%), Graciano (3%). The wine is classified as DOCa Rioja.