The historic estate of Marqués de Murrieta crafts the Marqués de Murrieta Reserva Magnum 2021 on its Finca Ygay estate at the southern edge of Rioja Alta. Spanning roughly 300 hectares at elevations between 320 and 485 meters, the estate vineyards are defined predominantly by calcareous clay soils. Here, a continental climate of warm days and cool nights creates ideal conditions for wines that unite ripe fruit with freshness and commanding structure.

The Marqués de Murrieta Reserva Magnum 2021 is a blend of 86% Tempranillo, 8% Graciano, 4% Mazuelo, and 2% Garnacha. Harvested by hand between late September and mid-October, the grapes were vinified separately by variety and parcel. The 2021 vintage brought beautifully balanced growing conditions and slow ripening, yielding aromatically concentrated yet vibrant fruit.

On the nose, this Rioja opens with ripe red and dark fruit—most notably cherry and plum—joined by violets, wild herbs, licorice, and delicate spices. With a touch of air, chocolate, tobacco, and the signature notes of coconut and sweet spice from extended barrel aging emerge, while the fruit remains clearly at the center, elegantly framed by savory and balsamic nuances.

On the palate, the Marqués de Murrieta Reserva 2021 pairs juiciness and substance with a reassuringly firm frame. Ripe plum and dark berries meet lively acidity and fine-grained tannins. Graciano and Mazuelo inject additional spice and tension, while American oak imparts subtle sweet spice notes. Harmonious and rounded without sacrificing freshness, the wine finishes long with lingering fruit, herbs, and savory oak spice.

Aged for 26 months in 225-liter American oak barrels followed by further bottle maturation prior to release, the 2021 remains faithful to the classic style of Marqués de Murrieta while pairing traditional Rioja élevage with remarkable precision and freshness.

In magnum format, this Reserva shows particular poise and evolves more slowly thanks to the larger bottle volume. While the 2021 already offers an appealing marriage of ripe fruit, savory oak, and refined tannins today, it also possesses ample structure and substance for many years of rewarding cellar aging.