2011 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Spain Red

2011 Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial

97 WE

From the critics:

97 WE

95 VM

94 WS

Featured Review

Deep violet-red to the eye, this wine has a nose of raspberry, white chocolate and juniper berry. Still youthful on the palate, it offers ever-present tannins supporting flavors of dark plum, black cherry, caramel and violet that slowly fade into a soft cherry-pie finish. Drink through 2042. Wine Enthusiast

Wine Enthusiast | 97 WE

Deep garnet. A highly perfumed, complex bouquet evokes red and blue fruits, incense, pipe tobacco, vanilla and mocha, along with smoky mineral and spice nuances that build in the glass. Sappy, palate-staining black raspberry, cherry compote, succulent herb, candied rose and vanilla flavors show excellent depth and clarity, while a spine of juicy acidity contributes cut and structure. Shows excellent energy and detail, finishing with strong persistence, repeating florality and velvety tannins that come in late.

Vinous Media | 95 VM

This polished red shows lots of depth, with cola-lined notes of glossy dark cherry and black olive hedged with wild herb, anise, loamy earth, mocha and clove. Refined, harmonious and expressive. To be released Spring 2022. Drink now through 2031. 1,000 cases imported.

Wine Spectator | 94 WS

Type of Wine	Spain Red : Spanish wines shouldn't be overlooked under any circumstances, as there are plenty of extraordinary wines coming from this country. There are also lots of grape varietals grown all over Spain. Some of the most gorgeous red varieties are the early-harvested Tempranillo, raspberry-flavored Garnacha, Bobal, Monastrell, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot.
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	Spain : Grapevines have been cultivated on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years, making Spain one of the oldest wine producing countries on earth. With nearly 1 million hectares under vine, Spain is in possession of more grapevines that any other nation in the world. Today, vineyard cultivation takes place in virtually every administrative district, making it a leading producer on today’s market. Spain’s vineyards generate an annual wine output of 40.7 million hectoliters, ranking it third in the world behind only France and Italy. Spain is a land of breathtaking beauty, diverse topography, complex cultures and a time honored tradition of viticulture. The country’s broad geographical values play a major role in defining the many wine styles produced. From the cool climes of Galicia and the snow-capped Pyrenees to arid Andalucía in the south, and every region in between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, Spain boasts one of the most diverse terroirs in the world. The country’s myriad of soils and complex climate systems creates an expansive planting ground for a multitude of varietals. Tempranillo has long played an instrumental role in Spanish winemaking. It is important to note that of the 236,000 hectares being cultivated world-wide, 202,000 are planted in Spain. It is commonly utilized in the production of still red wines from Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro and has taken the world by storm. In the past few decades, wines produced in Rioja have been some of the most popular, and in 2017, wines with a “Rioja” label were the most purchased on the wine market. Bodegas Vega Sicilia, located in Ribera del Duero in northern Spain has been one of the most sought after producers hailing from Spain, and Tinta de Toro (otherwise known as Tempranillo everywhere else) has certainly placed its mark on the region and the world. Spain is also renowned for its production of sweet, raisened Moscatel, fortified Madeira, sparkling Cava and its rising, but shining star, Albarino, which hails from the Rias Baixas appellation of Galicia. Some of the most recognizable names in the world of wine hail from Spain. In the past few decades there has been a collision of New and Old World winemaking; one which has greatly contributed to the continued success of the Spanish wine industry. Modernization of vineyards, facilities and viticulture has greatly improved the significance of Spain in the wine market. Syrah and Merlot have taken root in Spanish wine regions and combined with the indigenous Garnacha (Grenache) Garnacha Blanca (Grenache Blanc), Godello and many others, the country has not only adapted to new styles of winemaking but also the ever changing palate of consumers.
Region	Rioja : Rioja is a Spanish wine region with a lot of tradition behind it, and it's famous as one of Spain's most famous communes when it comes to raw viticultural mastery and dedication. Their reds harness the magnificent potential of grape varietals such as Tempranillo, Graciano, Garnacha Tinta, and Maturana, whereas the whites are created from mixtures including Garnacha Blanca, Viura, Tempranillo Blanco and Malvasia. With a combination of such powerhouses, it's no wonder that their wines are in high demand among experienced and knowledgeable collectors. A sampling speaks countless words about the flavor bouquet and structure of these masterpieces. Expect to encounter beautiful floral spice notes and a juicy, syrupy combination of fruit that leaves your mouth watering and your tastebuds screaming for more. Cinnamon and tobacco give the wines an intense, sharp approach, rounding out the experience and leaving the bottles balanced and elegant. It's truly a complete experience for your mouth, and the perfume lingers long after you've finished drinking, extending that period of enjoyment all wine enthusiasts are almost addicted to. If you're in the mood for a classic Rioja as soon as possible, or you simply wish to enhance your collection with luxurious and prestigious bottles, we have your needs covered.
Subregion	Rioja Alta
Cru	Gran Reserva

Producer	Louis Michel & Fils : The appellation of Chablis, in northern Burgundy, has thousands of years of viticultural history, dating back to the time of the ancient romans. When the Cistercian Monks arrived in the 11th century, they cultivated the land with precision and proficiency; the advent of harmonized winemaking in the region. Upon these very slopes, on the right bank of the Serein, where the monks first laid roots, resides Domaine Louis Michel & Fils. The centuries old, family-managed domaine continues to perpetuate the tradition of Chablis winemaking, remaining true to the philosophies of its founding fathers. Thanks to genealogical pursuits, the winemaking history of the Michel family in Chablis can be traced back to at least 1640. Generation after generation has preserved the antiquity of the region and the tradition of cultivating Chardonnay; the golden fiber which binds the region’s terroir and its inhabitants. With the goal of preserving the authenticity of each terroir and working with very pure and clean wines, the domaine places importance on having aromatically neutral vinification for each wine and its corresponding terroir. No wine has touched oak since 1969, when it was decided that all wines would be vinified in stainless steel tanks. “It was my grandfather who took the decision,” states Guillaume Michel, who now controls the domaine. To Guillaume, it is a matter of showcasing the elegance and finesse of the Chardonnay grape in its purest form, in a region where it reaches its full zenith. Untethered by artifices and with minimal human intervention, the wines reveal their true nature; a reflection of the terroir in which they were sown. The importance of the work in the vineyards cannot be overstated. Guillaume Michel is a firm believer in the philosophy that if you do a good job in the vineyard, 90 percent of the work is done when the grapes arrive at the winery. The domaine, of course, lies upon prime real-estate in the heart of Chablis. The appellation’s unique terroir, comprised of a mixture of Kimmeridgian and Portlandian subsoils, combined with marl, limestone and fossilized oysters over 150 million years old, plays an important role because it varies the aromatic complexity of the wines and brings the minerality so typical of Chablis wines. As his grandfather before him, Guillaume has developed the philosophy of terroir-driven wines, striving even further by separating the various sub-appellations when bottling the different crus and by returning to the use of natural yeast. “In a terroir as rich and unique as that of Chablis, it is in the vineyard that the wine is made. At all stages, human intervention must be as discreet as possible in order to allow nature to express itself fully,” insists Guillaume Michel. The Michel property spans a total of 25 hectares devoted to the darling grape variety, Chardonnay. Fifteen hectares of which are the source for the domaine’s eight Premier Crus, including Forets, Butteaux, Vaillons and Vaulorent, each having their own character. Six hectares of Chablis (Villages) demonstrate the signature of the Chablis terroir expressing its full typicity; finesse, freshness and minerality. Two hectares lay in Petit Chablis, where the wines develop fresh and lively personalities. The domaine’s finest gems, the Grand Crus of Les Clos, Grenouilles and Vaudesir benefit from the greatest growing conditions located only on the right bank of the Serein. These Grand Crus exemplify terroir-driven Chablis in all its glory. Some of the greatest white wines in Burgundy hail from Domaine Louis Michel & Fils. It has become synonymous with un-oaked Chablis and is touted as one of the finest domaines in the region.