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. — 9 months ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.5

Dyer’s. Unity. Round, anise, floral aromatics. Nice resolution. So good. — 4 years ago

P Pelissero

9.0

It was lovely. Drank it at The Source Hotel Woods Restaurant. — 5 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.2

Beautiful at over a quarter century. Unity — 5 years ago

J. Kim

9.2

The aroma is not the aggressive, one-dimensional, superficial kind one gets from the surface, but more pervasive, wider and deeper kind coming from the core layer of minerals. It has an internal complexity and a sense of Burgundian completeness and unity. — 6 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.2

Black pepper and black currants. Velvety tannins. Viscous. Unity. — 7 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.2

Pretty, intense cherries. Unity. — 3 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.4

Grandes Dames tasting. 2016 Barolos. My 2nd, group 2nd. Classy. Tar and roses. Unity. Classic. Grippy — 4 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.5

Pretty, cherries. Perfume. Unity. — 4 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

8.9

Upper class Gamay, marked by aging in oak barrels. Deep and concentrated. Evocation of Burgundy in classical style close to Château des Jacques. The fruit is set back, and the charm of gamay is not fully expressed, trying to play in the course of Pinot-noir without having the vertical character, imprint of the terroir. The 5 years of guards brought unity to the whole and a beautiful general outfit.

Gamay classe supérieure, marqué par un élevage en fût de chêne. Profond et concentré. Évocation de la Bourgogne dans style classique proche du Château des Jacques. Le fruit est en retrait, et le charme du gamay ne s’y exprime pas pleinement, essayant de jouer dans la cours du Pinot-noir sans en avoir le caractère vertical, marqueur du terroir. Les 5 années de gardes ont apporté de l’unité à l’ensemble et une belle tenue générale. — 4 years ago

Debbie Johnson

9.0

A great, light Pinot gris and got it at a great price online. Light notes of jicama and pear. Love all of King Estate wines and this Pinot Gris is remarkable! — 5 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.3

This is a unicorn given a tragic warehouse fire that wiped out the LMR library. Lovely bottle development. Inky. Nice natural acidity. Unity — 6 years ago

with Noah, Grace and 1 other

J. Kim

8.9

The quality outclasses most village level and even approaches premier cru level in its integrity and unity of characters. — 7 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.0

A real vinous sparkling wine. Extra dry. Beautiful pale dress, fine but numerous bubbles. Very expressive nose of peach, pear, candied citrus, brioche, dried fruits, hazelnut, and a saline touch, which extends on a sharp final. With 5 years of aging 2017, offers unity and a beautiful relief. Ideal to accompany a meal. Relevant alternative to Champagnes, especially in terms of its price!

Un vrai pétillant vineux, extra sec. Belle robe pale, bulles fines mais nombreuses. Nez très expressif de pêches, poire, agrumes confits, notes briochées, fruits secs, noisette, et un toucher salin, qui se prolonge bien sur une finale tranchante. Avec 5 ans de garde 2017 offre une unité et un beau relief. Idéal pour accompagner un repas. Alternative pertinente aux champagnes, surtout au regard de son prix! — 4 years ago

casey Burnett

9.2

Smell: cinnamon. Plum. Vanilla. Taste : smooth vibration of flavors. Plum forward and faint cherry — 4 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.5

Delicious. Unity — 4 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.3

What a treat. Aged to perfection. Unity. — 5 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.3

Delicious. Time is kind. Unity. Eric Asimov/Paul Draper/ FFCoppela / Corison webinar — 5 years ago

J. Kim

9.3

The palate reveals a hint of natural winemaking but the aroma betrays none. It breathes restraint and refinement and has attained complete harmony and unity. — 6 years ago

Cathy Corison

Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery

9.3

Delicious. Unity. Dark dried cherries. — 7 years ago