Muriel Fincas de la Villa “Vinas Viejas” Rioja DOCa Gran Reserva 2011

Bodegas Muriel was founded by Murúa family in 1926. It was the first winery that was established near Elciego.

The Vineyards of Muriel Fincas de la Villa are located in Elciego, within Rioja Alavesa. The sub-region on the Northern side of Rioja. Its proximity to Atlantic coast means cooler climate and usually windier. Local climate is still continental Mediterranean, but with a strong Atlantic influence. Soil under vines are largely clay-limestone

composition, organically poor. For Gran Reserva, wines are made from 100% Tempranillo, vine age 35 to 40 years old, grown in both Gobelet training and trellis-trained system.

Gobelet refers to traditional bush vine training, that vines are shaped like goblets. This particular training method is suitable to warmer wine regions with very dry climate. The vines can functionally retain waters and bear fruit with concentrated flavour. However such training also means labour intensive maintenance and harvest.

For the 2011 vintage, the grapes are picked by hand and in boxes, during the first 10 days of October. The berries spend 20 days in stainless steel tanks for both fermentation and maceration. Each goes through daily ‘delestage’ for better extraction of aroma precursors, colour and phenolic compounds. According to the law, Gran Reserve Rioja must spend 5 years of ageing before release, for which 24 months are in barrels plus 36 months in the bottle. The barrels used are 75% of French oak and 25% of American oak. All barrels are brand-new.

If opening now, the wine would have medium garnet colour with a distinctive brick orange rim. The wine offers great intensity on the nose, with vanilla, coffee, spices and ripe black fruit aromas, as well as nuances from the bottle ageing, such as leather, dry leaves. Due to its long barrel ageing, the palate is soft and silky, with a strong personality.  It finishes warm and pleasing.