MURIEL FINCAS de la VILLA CRIANZA RIOJA 2020

Founded by Julian Murua and located in the heart of Rioja Alavesa in Elciego next to the River Mayor. The wines of Bodegas Muriel offer exceptional value and a lovely fruity style of easy drinking Rioja. From a very good Rioja vintage this wine offers juicy red fruit flavours with spice and leather notes, soft tannins and a lovely ripe, long, satisfying length.

Winery notes (2020 Vintage)
"A selection of grapes from vineyards in the Rioja Alta and the Rioja Alavesa, planted in very poor calcareous soils of a clay loam texture. The vines are grown mainly using a traditional goblet-pruned system. The wine fermentation and maceration process is carried out during 15 days in stainless steel vats, with a daily pumping over routine for the optimum extraction of colour and tannins. The wine is matured for 12 months, in American oak (60%) and French oak (40%).

The colour is a bright cherry with aromas of vanilla, cocoa, coffee, red fruits and liquorice on the nose. A broad and elegant wine with soft tannins, the aftertaste is tasty, clean and very pleasant. A perfect match for tapas, cured ham, demi-cured cheeses, roasted lamb and barbecued meats."

Reviews for the 2019 vintage below…

5 Stars & 93/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, March 2023 (2019 Vintage)
"Classically styled and expressed, showing dark berry, olive, game, cedar and dark spice aromas, leading to a beautifully weighted palate offering supple texture backed by fine grainy tannins. Well structured and lingering with a sturdy dry finish. At its best: now to 2026."