Selección Especial Rioja Tempranillo

Deep ruby in color, almost Inky, with a short reddish rim.

Full bodied and smooth with medium acidity and long legs.

Very dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing blueberries, plums, cooked cherries, black currants, light cedar, dark coffee, chocolates, earth, peppercorn, pencil lead, tobacco leaf, light vegetables and bitter herbs.

Short, tangy finish with fine grained tannins and pomegranates.

This 8 year old Rioja Reserva is still young and very dry, but already drinkable.

Lacking a bit of fruits on the palate, but the nose is gorgeous, once it opens up. The nose is more interesting than the palate at this point.

Needs a few hours to open up properly, so take your time.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 5 to 10 years. Would be interesting to try it again in 5 years.

A good food wine that will pair nicely with a nice piece of steak.

A blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 7% Mazuelo and 3% Graciano.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$50.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Light nose of cherries, red plums, raspberries, earth, light oak, tobacco and coffee.

Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with currants, light wood, spices, coffee, black plums, cherries, earth, black pepper, tobacco leaf, herbs and light vegetables.

Medium finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This young Rioja Reserva is easy drinking and good with food. Showing a soft mouthfeel with nice complexity.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.

I paired it with a dry aged steak in blue cheese.

A blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 7% Mazuelo and 3% Graciano. Aged in French oak barrels for 26 months.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

90 points.

$50.

Beautiful Rioja. Smooth, elegant, and just a bit leathery.

A mid-tier Muga slot. Deep purple in color, sage, blackberry, new leather, mild vanilla. Medium + body, alc and tannins, medium acidity. Dry of course. Long finish. Tertiary flavors are not yet pronounced. Would be fabulous with ribeye, but tonight it's paired with cheeses and Serrano ham.

92+ points

Ok it is finally here - the wine nerd herd 5 year reunion has started - in 2016 - the herd met in NYC - there were amazing bonds and friendships developed and are intact to this day and growing 
Initially there was @Carl Fischer @Ron R @Joe Lucca @David L as well as myself @Mike R and one other who had such a blast we have decided to this get together as a herd frequently and for most part we have been United and strong even doing zoom tastings whenever 
Not long after the initial conclave in 2016 we traveled and expanded to include @Bill Bender @Shawn R @Eric L and our newest and a true foundation of youth and knowledge @Shay A and we have been to Palm Beach, Raleigh, San Diego, San Antonio, Des Moines, Paso Robles and now back to the starting place - NYC - 5 years later 
Get ready New York as the herd is running hard and with purpose in the city that never sleeps 
The picture / posting are two tune up tastings last Saturday with locals in Raleigh as I need practice a) red wines below 50 and b) red wines above 100
Standout to me was the Muga in the less than 50 and in the over 100 - all were good but Paul Hobbs, myriad, switchback ridge, Pulido walker
Of course the krug and aubert were good but maybe not able to keep up 
The carnival of love and Don Melchor were delicious as well but were not equivalent to the Napa cabs that are all world class vineyards and winemakers 
Again I say all this to say training is over and let the games begin in NYC as we have landed 
Thank you @Ron R and @Carl Fischer for hosting the herd and I am stoked 
Bam 💥🐂❤️🍷

Just opened another bottle! Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by children Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice and oak. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), 36 months in oak, palate shows elegant flavors of cherry and currant with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full ripe tannins, lively acidity on a long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Great vintage!

Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by children Manuel, Isabel & Isaac Muga Caño. Deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice and oak. 4 grape blend from the Haro district (70% Tempranillo, rest Garnacha, Mazuelo & Graciano), 36 months in oak, palate shows elegant flavors of cherry and currant with espresso, vanilla & toasty oak tones. Soft full ripe tannins, lively acidity on a long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Great vintage!

abv14%

Strangely, for a winery I have always associated with traditional Spanish-style wines, this is so modern styled I would never have been able to place it as a Spanish wine of any sort. Big, extracted, dusty, chocolatey scents predominate. Some uber-ripe blackberry. In the mouth, it’s highly- extracted, but actually has good acidity. A bit blocky. Meh.

UPDATE: Night 2 there is more delicate red fruit peeking through the chocolate. Upping from 8.6 to 8.7. Clearly needs air, but I’m not sure this will ever crack a 9.0.

Founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga Martínez, now run by next generation. Dark Ruby with aromas of ripe fruit, smoke & spice, A blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, & Graciano from top Haro producer. On the palate ripe blackberry and cherry, firm dry tannins with smoky oak, wrapped in perfect acidity. Aged 30 mos in French & American oak + 18 months in the bottle before release. On the finish a touch of vanilla on a long ending. Will continue to improve! Nice! Tasting Sample.