The 2008 Reserva is a blend of 86% Tempranillo, 8% Garnacha Tinta, 4% Mazuelo and 2% Graciano from their own vineyards, which were hand-harvested between October 2 and 27. The grapes, which are selected from different plots to display the character of Ygay, fermented in inox vats and the wine aged for eighteen months in American oak barrels, eight of them in new barrels and the rest in used ones. It also matured in bottle for two years before being put on the market. An impressive 1.5 million bottles were produced. It has strong balsamic notes of incense, smoked meat, leather, fennel and cherries, which make it feel very Rioja. The palate is medium-bodied, balanced, with great acidity and freshness. A serious vintage of Murrieta Reserva that represents great balance between tradition and modernity. Drink 2014-2028. Yes, this is one of the oldest wineries in Rioja, created back in the 19th century, and they keep their traditions, but now but each wine is selected from specific plots, something that they have done since the year 2000, a year that marked a big change in the winery. I feel more balance and better integration of the oak with the wine in recent vintages. I really liked the wines I tasted and was very excited to be shown a tank sample of the 1986 Castillo de Ygay Gran Reserva Blanco. Yes, you have read it correctly, it was a tank sample which is waiting to be bottled after almost 21 years in wood and 6 years in tank that will be released sometime in the future. I simply loved it. It has great complexity, freshness, elegance, power and acidity. I look forward to tasting (and drinking!) this wine once bottled! There will be 15,000 bottles of this wine, but they’ll have to last for 8 years, because the next vintage will be 1994. More on this next time round. Imported by Maisons Marques & Domaines, Oakland CA; tel. (510) 587-2000

Luminous ruby garnet, violet reflections, delicate brightening of the edges. Fine herbal spices, a hint of liquorice and cherry jam, fine nuances of dried plums. Substantial and sweet, like prunes, well-integrated tannins, somewhat opulent and chocolaty, oranges in the finish, extra-sweet aftertaste, already drinkable, has development reserves.