August 2013
“Today, Muga is making some of the finest wines in Rioja and is an exemplary Rioja winery. Muga wines are both classical and new wave in style. It sources grapes from its own vineyards and from more than 50 neighboring growers. Muga’s wines are fruit rich, beautifully balanced, nuanced, and a pleasure to drink. Noteworthy are the Prado Enea Gran Reserva, Torre Muga and Aro, wines that typify Muga’s commitment to producing new wave but authentic Rioja wines.”
– The International Wine Review
The history of Muga is one of tradition, family, and, last but certainly not least, oak. Isaac Muga Martinez and his wife Auro moved to the Rioja Alta region in 1932. They hoped to open their own bodega, large enough to rival the established wineries already in the area. Though Isaac did not live to fulfill this dream, his three children have made it a reality. In 1971, they built the large Muga bodega, complete with a tower and coopery, where all of Muga’s oak barrels and casks are made. Oak is essential to the Muga tradition, whether it be tubs, casks, beams or pillars. They use oak throughout their process, and are meticulous about the effects the oak will have on the wine from beginning to end. These traditions are the reason that Muga has a reputation for high quality, classic Rioja wines. This 2008 vintage is no exception, the only red wine done by Muga that year, it contains a selection of fruit usually reserved for special bottlings, offering an affordable chance to taste the best of Muga’s style.
Our Muga Selections Available:
Bodegas Muga Rioja Blanco 2011 ($14.95) $11.90 special SOLD OUT
Stephen Tanzer 91 points – “(90% viura and 10% malvasia; fermented in new French oak and aged for three months on its fine lees): Pale gold. Suave, floral-accented aromas of candied orchard fruits, orange zest, white flowers and brioche. Pliant and broad on entry, then tighter in the middle, offering gently sweet pear and citrus fruit flavors and a touch of vanilla. Finishes sappy and very long, with lingering spiciness and a hint of anise. This wine delivers outstanding value.”
Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva 2008 ($29.95) $21.90 special SOLD OUT
Stephen Tanzer 92 points -“(70% tempranillo, 20% garnacha, 7% mazuelo and 3% graciano, fermented in oak vats and raised in oak barrels for 24 months): Vivid ruby. Heady, exotic aromas of candied dark berries, vanilla, cola and dark chocolate, with a slow-building floral quality. The palate offers sweet cherry-vanilla and licorice flavors, along with notes of rose pastille and bitter chocolate. Finishes sweet and long, with silky tannins adding shape and gentle grip. This is the only red wine that Muga bottled this vintage so all of the Prado Enea fruit went in here.”
Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva Seleccion Especiale 2006 ($39.95) $33.00 special SOLD OUT
Stephen Tanzer 92 points -“(70% tempranillo, 20% garnacha and the rest mazuelo and graciano): Saturated ruby. Pungent cherry and dark berry aromas, with spice and floral nuances adding complexity. Sweet and concentrated, but with excellent cut and vivacity to its dark fruit flavors. Builds and deepens toward the back, finishing with a sappy floral quality and resonating spiciness. Offers very good richness of flavor with no excess fat.”
Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Eneo 2004 MAGNUM ($129.95) $99.00 special SOLD OUT
Wine Advocate 94 points / Stephen Tanzer 94 points – “(80% tempranillo, with garnacha, mazuelo and graciano): Dark ruby. An intensely perfumed nose displays cherry-cola, cassis, licorice and woodsmoke, with a sexy floral quality and very good focus. Juicy, penetrating dark fruit flavors are given spine by tangy acidity and pick up bitter chocolate and spicecake nuances with air. Supple tannins add shape to the very long, sappy, smoke-accented finish. This is still a baby.”
Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Eneo 2005 ($69.95) $49.00 special
Wine Advocate 95 points – “The 2005 Prado Enea Gran Reserva spends 36-months in oak, nine months in new oak after which it is racked into American oak that is “semi-new” (i.e. a new barrel that is “broken in” with a wine beforehand). It has an unashamedly opulent bouquet of primal, ripe, boysenberry, mulberry, dark chocolate and crushed violets that blossom with aeration. The palate is full-bodied with crisp acidity cutting through the pure blackberry and cassis fruit. It has wonderful focus and intensity, though the finish demonstrates convincing composure. This is an outstanding Gran Reserva whose silky texture will instantly win you over. Drink 2013-2030+”
Bodegas Muga Rioja Torre Muga 2006 ($79.95) $59.00 special SOLD OUT
Wine Spectator 94 points – “Toast and cola notes frame rich plum and fig flavors in this concentrated red, which is bright and polished, though there’s depth under the muscular tannins. Impressive in the modern style. Best from 2011 through 2021.” 75% tempranillo, 15% mazuelo and 10% graciano.
