2015 Muga Aro Spain Red

2015 Muga Aro

100 JD

Featured Review

Only produced in great vintages (it hasn't been produced since 2010), the 2015 Aro focuses on a mix of Tempranillo and Graciano and is a normal blend of 70% Tempranillo and 30% Graciano in 2015 that was sourced from a sandy, loam vineyard in the Rioja Alta. The vinification occurs in larger oak tanks and the wine spends 18 months in new French oak followed by a year in bottle before release. Incredible notes of liquid violets, blueberries, blackberries, smoked earth, chocolate, and graphite aromas and flavors all dominate the bouquet, and it’s rich, full-bodied, ultra-pure, and flawlessly balanced on the palate. This is a powerful, magical wine in every sense. It needs 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for 20-25 years or more. Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck | 100 JD

A more sophisticated, savory and minerally attitude on the nose with dark chocolate, plum liqueur and dark cherry that's still very primary. Violets, too. This has sexy, seductive dark plums and berries on the palate with an immaculate tannin texture and freshness. Profound, unending depth. Wow! Try this from 2023.

James Suckling | 99 JS

I was gladly surprised to find that Muga had produced and just bottled a 2015 Aro, which will not be released until the end of 2018. This is always powerful and concentrated, a selection and blending exercise of individual plants from select vineyards, healthier vines, those that produced smaller bunches, and so on. Since the first harvest of Aro in the year 2000, they have bought more old vineyards, so they applied the same exercise to these new vineyards, which are planted with massal selections. They focus on Graciano and Tempranillo, and they ferment and age these grapes separately. Only in exceptional vintages do they decide to bottle this Aro. It's produced in a similar way as Torre Muga, fermentation by plot in small oak vats (some as small as 1,000 kilograms!), the difference is the grape selection. It aged in brand new French oak barriques selected by the grain of the wood. They look for very small grain (which means slow growing of the oak trees). It started off quite closed, but the first impression was of a very good wine, still very young and still a little marked by the élevage, with some oak notes emerging after the wine had been in the glass for a while. There is almost 30% Graciano in this blend, with the rest Tempranillo. This is full-bodied with abundant, fine-grained tannins and very good balance. This will require some more time in bottle and should have a long life ahead. They filled some 5,600 bottles in September 2017.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RP

This generous red has a rich texture, with firm tannins supporting the blackberry and currant flavors, laced with smoke, cocoa and licorice notes. Ripe and bold, but focused. Drink now through 2027. 5,000 cases made, 25 cases imported

Wine Spectator | 92 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	Other
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.