Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva 2009

The wine in this vintage

2009 in Rioja was a warm, dry vintage, with a sunny summer that produced ripe, concentrated grapes; the best wines combine fullness of fruit with substantial structure. Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2009, from the highest plots of Finca Ygay, interprets that warmth with its customary elegance: black cherry, plum, fig, leather, tobacco, vanilla, coconut and sweet spice weave a rich, complex bouquet, while the palate is enveloping, with velvety tannins and a long, balsamic close. Robert Parker rated it 96 points. After its long cellar ageing before release, the wine is now in a lovely harmonious phase, already very enjoyable, yet it still has the resources to evolve gently for several years.

The producer · Marques de Murrieta

Founded in 1852 by Luciano de Murrieta, a pioneer who studied Bordeaux techniques and was among the first in Rioja to make wines for ageing and export, Marqués de Murrieta is one of Spain's historic wineries. Its heart is Finca Ygay, an estate on the outskirts of Logroño, in Rioja Alta, whose own vineyards surround the castle that gives its name to the house's most famous wine. Since the 1980s the estate has belonged to the Cebrián-Sagarriga family, now led by Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga, who renewed vineyards and winery while keeping strong ties with tradition. The range includes the Reserva, the white Capellanía, Dalmau and above all Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, made only in exceptional years from Tempranillo and Mazuelo grown on the estate's highest plots and given long ageing in barrel and bottle. Wines of great elegance and longevity that embody the classic face of Rioja.

Critics' scores

• 96 Robert Parker
• 95 James Suckling

Technical details

Producer

Marques de Murrieta

Region

Rioja

Country

Spagna

Type

Rosso

Vintage

2009

When to drink

Hold, still evolving

Critics' average

95.5/100

Sizes

75 cl, Magnum 150 cl, Case of 6 × 75 cl

eWibe code

0900109