Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Bodegas Muga – Aro 2019
Rioja DOCa – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A prestige cuvée from Bodegas Muga, Aro represents one of the most refined modern expressions of Rioja. Crafted in small quantities from Tempranillo with a touch of Graciano, the 2019 vintage balances juicy fruit with structure, elegance, and longevity. (Educational note: Muga ferments with indigenous yeasts in oak vats and ages Aro in French oak, blending traditional Rioja methods with modern precision.)

Aromas & Flavors
Juicy red berries (raspberry, strawberry, and red plum) lead the way, framed by subtle blackberry and cassis. Layers of vanilla, cocoa, and spice from oak intertwine with floral and mineral notes.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins. Decanted for 2 hours, it opened beautifully — long, elegant, and persistent, with a finish that shows both fruit purity and savory depth.

Food Pairings
Pairs well with roasted lamb, Iberian pork, or grilled steak. Also excellent with manchego cheese or mushroom-based dishes.

Verdict
A superb Rioja — juicy, refined, and complex. The 2019 Aro is a treat that shows both immediate charm and long-term potential. A true collector’s Rioja with class and depth. 🍷

Did You Know?
The name “Aro” is a nod to the hoops (aros) that bind the staves of Rioja’s traditional oak barrels, symbolizing craftsmanship and unity.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Produced in limited quantities, Aro is one of Rioja’s most sought-after wines — a modern icon that rivals Spain’s greatest reds. — 4 days ago

Ben Steinbock

8.9

Delicious for $40-needs to open up a little-drink now through 2030 — 2 months ago

Norman

9.3

Delightful and not over the edge yet. Dont think it gets better and with too much air it started to show its age. The nose pops out of the glass. It’s a deep fruit/berry aroma. No alcohol on the nose or palate. It has a rich, deep flavor profile, not overly sweet, clean not cloying. I don’t get any greenness or bramble which while sometimes I like it generally don’t so this is really singing for me. — 5 months ago

Fabio Franchella

9.3

Ich mag Tondonia! Immer!! Alle!!! Die weissen fast noch mehr als die roten!!! Und den Rosé sowieso!!! What should I say. Getrunken in einer der geilsten weinbars ever!!
Ja ich weiss….viele ausrufezeichen! Aber so fühlt es sich grad an !!!!!!!!!!! — 11 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Blend of mostly Tempranillo with about equal amounts of Garnacho, Graciano and Manzuelo, deep Ruby with a graceful bouquet of berry fruits, cigar box spice with fresh earthy tones, a traditional Rioja, still reticent. On the silky smooth palate, elegant with layers of flavors of ripe blackberry and cherry, tobacco, smoky cedar, dark fruit, vanilla spice, very well balanced with fine soft tannins and a clean structure ending with a nice long chalky earthy character. Delicious! — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.7

Ruby with complex fruit aromas, spice and oak. Blend of 90% Tempranillo & 10% Graciano, aged 48 months on American oak, 20% new. On the palate flavors of dark berry fruits with spice, oak and smoky earthy notes, slight vanilla nuances on ripe full soft silky tannins. Long finish, nice mouthfeel, ending with fruit, oak, cigar box spice and clean mineral earthy tones, a joy to Sip this Fine Wine!! Tasting great, has more aging potential! — 2 months ago

David Dorn

9.1

Great value! — 20 days ago

Samiam

9.0

Very smooth — 11 days ago

Gladys Xiques

9.1

One of my faves. The unique iodine taste of a Spanish rioja paired beautifully with the duck. Wow. — 2 months ago

Anthony Hughes

9.1

Dry with balanced fruit and mouth feel — 3 months ago