BODEGAS MUGA RESERVA RIOJA 2016

Muga Reserva is deservedly one of our most popular Riojas and it is great to have it back on the shelves after an absence of a few months.

The new 2016 comes from a very highly regarded vintage. The Muga Reserva hits that perfect balance of modern and traditional. The fruit is clean and perfect, in a lush and bright and slightly spicy style, but elegant and medium-bodied. The elevated, Atlantic influence in the Rioja Alta region brings a Bordeaux-like focus to the effortless Spanish ripeness. Superb value and very versatile food wine.

Winery notes (2016 Vintage)
"This wine is ruby-red with glints of brick-red and a medium-high depth of colour. Dense legs which provide you with a sequence of patterns around the sides of the glass. Initially you can find notes of red fruit aromas such as blackberries and reminders of spices. This is all well balanced by smoked aromas from its time in wood which had received a light-to-medium toasting. A subtle vanilla pod aroma coming through with roast coffee nuances. A smooth, mellow attack, with tannins wrapping the sides of the mouth with hints of menthol. In the finish the interesting lingering persistence is worthy of note."

95/100 James Suckling (2016 Vintage) 
"This is really tight and powerful with gorgeous tannins and solid fruit. Full body. Tight and composed. Wet earth, smoked meat and hints of black truffles. Very long and powerful. Wonderful length. Real Rioja. One of the top best-value, high-quality reds in Spain. Drink or hold."

94/100 Tim Atkin MW (2015 Vintage) 
"One of the most impressive Muga Reservas of recent years, this comes from the area around the winery's cellars in Haro and is a cuvée of Tempranillo with 20% Garnacha and 5% each of Graciano and Mazuelo. Rich, deeply coloured and well structured, it has bramble and blackberry fruit, scented 20% new wood and the freshness and balance to age well in bottle."

93/100 Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2016 Vintage) 
"The largest volume of the Muga winery is for the red blend 2016 Reserva, a wine that is sold as 2016 Crianza in Spain (for commercial reasons). This has the Muga style and the imprint of the cool and fresh 2016 vintage, one of the best vintages of recent years. 2016 is also a year of harmony and freshness that reminds me a little of the 2010. But the Muga family thinks it's somewhere between 2010 and 2011, because for them 2011 is not so warm, even if it generally produced quite ripe wines. It has a mixture of red and black fruit with sweet spices that are very integrated and in harmony. The palate is silky and clean, and the tannins are round and gentle. A delicious Reserva/Crianza."

92/100 Wilfred Wong, Wine.com, May 2020 (2016 Vintage)
"The 2016 Muga Reserva is bright, vibrant, and lasting. This wine brings red fruits, some mineral notes, and oak to the fore. Enjoy with a rosemary and garlic-infused, roast leg of lamb."