Muriel Gran Reserva 2012
Overview
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Red ruby color with a distinctive brick rim. Deep and intense nose, showing vanilla notes, coffee, spices, and ripe red fruit. Dry leaves, leather and nutty notes are from the bottles aging period. On the palate, the wine is balanced and silky. Exceptionally pleasant, this wine has a persistent yet elegant aftertaste. Its complex and intense personality will make it evolve in a very positive way over the next years. |
Wine Facts
The vineyards are, on average, at least 40 years old, around the winery’s hometown of Elciego, in Rioja Alavesa. The soils are clay-limestone, very poor, and suitable for vine-growing. The climate is Mediterranean, with a strong Atlantic influence. 2012 was drier than the previous great vintage of 2011. The late- September rains had a very positive effect on ripening, improving final berry balance. The vines are in a traditional Gobelet system. The grapes were in excellent health and the overall harvest was qualified by Rioja’s Regulatory Council as “Very Good”. Hand- harvested during the last week of September and the first days of October. Fermentation takes place over 20 days in stainless-steel tanks. The wine is aged for 24 months in new French (75%) and American (25%) oak barrels. This is followed by a minimum period of 36 months in the bottle.
Serving Hints
When choosing to buy a Rioja wine, the four classifications of each Rioja will be clearly labeled on the bottle. For Gran Reserva, this wine is made only during exceptional harvest. A Gran Reserva must be aged a minimum of 5 years, with at least two years in oak.
Region: Rioja (D.O.Ca.)
Country: Spain
Wine Composition: 100% Tempranillo
Alcohol: 13.5%
Press Highlights
2014: 93 Pts - James Suckling, May 2022
2012: 92 Pts - James Suckling, Mar 2022
2011: 92 Pts - James Suckling, Sept 2020
2010: 93 Pts - James Suckling, July 2019
2010: 92 Pts - Wine Enthusiast
2006: 91 Pts - Vinous, Feb 2019
2006: 90 Pts - James Suckling, Aug 2018
2005: 93 Pts - James Suckling, July 2017
2005: 90 Pts - Wine Spectator, Feb. 2015
2005: 89 Pts - ‘Best Buy’ Wine & Spirits ‘Years Best’ Issue, Dec. 2014
2004: 92 Pts - Winereviewonline.com, Marguerite Thomas, Mar. 25, 2014
2004: 90 Pts - Wine Advocate #202, Aug. 2012
2004 ‘Recommended Reds’ Chicago Tribune – Bill St. John, April 2, 2014
2004: 89 Pts - Wine Spectator, Web Only Review 2012
2001: 91 Pts - Wine Advocate, #195 June 2011
Downloads
2014 Fact Sheet PDF
2012 Fact Sheet PDF
2011 Fact Sheet PDF
Label Image FRONT
Label Image BACK
Bottle Shot
Press Highlights
2014 93Pts James Suckling Shelf Talker
2012 92Pts James Suckling Shelf Talker
2011 92Pts James Sucking Shelf Talker
2014 93Pts James Suckling Sell Sheet
2012 92Pts James Suckling Sell Sheet
2011 92Pts James Suckling Sell Sheet