Torre Muga 2011

This is another great winery from the Riojan public imagination which has managed to stay up-to-date, successfully combining its past with a very promising future. It has never compromised its origin as a wine company founded in the centre of Haro in 1932, later moving to its current location in Haro’s famous “Barrio de la Estación” neighbourhood.  The same family has been at the helm since the company was founded by Isaac Muga Martínez. It is among the few Spanish wineries to boast its own cooperage, using oaks of various origins for the ageing of its wines. It owns about 220 hectares of vineyards, which are predominantly Tempranillo with the remainder Graciano, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Viura and Malvasia. Although production is by no means small, all their wines are remarkable for their faultless consistency and have gained much-deserved international recognition.

This modern and muscular style of Rioja has been tempering its strength over the vintages, resulting in a better balance between oak and fruit. It has managed to please different generations of wine drinkers without sacrificing one iota of its Tempranillo soul, born to withstand at least a decade locked away in the bottle.  It is silky, elegant and deep yet has an inevitable classic accent if left long enough in the glass to allow it to speak and tell us its origin.  Given its youthful strength, it still has some rough edges that need polishing, but it clearly shows the path it will follow over at least the next five years. Hold off for now.

Appearance

Deep jet black. Very seductive.

Nose

Fragrant and a tad overwhelming at first. Notes of blackberry pie, cloves, black pepper, wrapped up in fresh vanilla.

Palate

Big and warm, distinct sensation of fruit with hints of cocoa and coffee on the finish. Long and still in need of some taming.

Dishes containing plenty of animal protein. Short ribs served with black plum polenta.