Parker about Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 1994
^1994 was the beginning of modern Rioja, and Marqués de Murrieta considered it to be a very high quality vintage, with 20% lower yields than usual, giving wines great tannic structure and the ability to age well. The 1994 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, produced with a blend of 75% Tempranillo, 13% Mazuelo, 10% Garnacha and 2% Graciano, matured in oak barrels for 50 months. It has 13.4% alcohol with 7.4 grams of acidity and 0.7 grams of volatile acidity, and it has tannic structure. In this decade, the winery had a big influence on the wines; there's more noticeable oak here despite a shorter elevation. The oak was still 100% American. The wine was bottled in May 1999.
Description
Land | Spain |
Region | rioja |
Rebsorten | Tempranillo 75%, Mazuelo 13%, Garnacha 10%, Graciano 2% |
Alkoholgehalt | 13.00% |
Füllstand | Into Neck |
Verschlußart | cork stopper |
Kennzeichnung | Contains sulphites |
Farbe | Red |
Inverkehrbringer | Marqués de Murrieta SA, 26006 Logrono, La Rioja, Spain |
Charakter | Dry |
Servierempfehlung | Decant at 16-18°C |
Trinkempfehlung | 2022 - 2044 |
Parker Punkte | 93 |
Jahrgang | 1994 |
rioja, Spain 🇪🇸
Goes well with

Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 1994

The Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 1994 is a highly regarded wine from the renowned Rioja region of Spain, produced by the Marqués de Murrieta winery. This wine is a prime example of the high quality and traditional style for which the wines of this region are known.
Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva is made from a careful selection of grapes, primarily Tempranillo, with a smaller proportion of Mazuelo (Carignan). The 1994 vintage was particularly favorable in the Rioja region, resulting in excellent grape quality.
This wine ages for a remarkably long time in American oak barrels, typically for about 24 to 30 months. It then undergoes several more years of bottle refinement before release. This extended aging period gives the wine its exceptional depth and complexity. Thanks to its structure and balance, the Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 1994 has excellent cellaring potential and can age well for decades.
The wine is a deep ruby red in color with brick-red reflections, indicating its ageing. On the nose, it unfolds a complex bouquet of red and black fruits, such as cherries and plums, complemented by notes of spices, vanilla, leather, and tobacco, which come from the long oak aging. On the palate, it is full-bodied and well-structured, with a harmonious balance between fruit, acidity, and tannins. Ripe fruit, spices, leather, and a hint of chocolate dominate the palate, with a long and persistent finish.
The Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 1994 has received numerous awards and high ratings from wine experts and critics over the years, reflecting its quality and the respect it enjoys in the wine world.
This wine pairs perfectly with rich meat dishes, game, lamb, and aged cheeses. Braised dishes and spicy dishes also harmonize well with its complex flavor profile. The Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 1994 is an excellent representative of traditional Rioja wines and a must-try for lovers of well-aged Spanish wines.