1948 & 1954 Marqués de Murrieta, Ygay - Rioja Reserva - 2 Bottles (0.75L)

2 bottles of Rioja Marqués de Murrieta Reserva Red Wine from vintages 1948 and 1954.

Vintage Rioja rating: Excellent and Good.

The 1948 Murrieta label is somewhat deteriorated, but the vintage year is visible on the neck label.

The 1954 label appears to have leaked at some point. With the normal tone of a wine of 78 and 72 years.

They have always been stored properly.

Shipping 16€ only to Spain.

Marqués de Murrieta 1954

Wine making

Meticulous selection of grape clusters upon arrival at the winery. Crushing and pressing rapid. The wine aged for 12 to 18 months in large oak foeders from the era of the founding —with a small portion stabilized in glass-lined concrete vats— to complete malolactic fermentation. The maturation took place in 225-liter American oak barrels, seasoned, for the astonishing 200 to 210 months (almost 18 years). The average age of the barrels was 30 years, reaching 45 in certain cases. The wine underwent membrane filtration before being bottled directly from the barrel on demand. These bottles were delivered to customers on demand, with no further bottle aging at the estate.


Appearance: A ruby red, stable, bright and immaculate, of medium-high depth. Given its chromatic intensity, no one would guess this wine is nearing its 60th anniversary. It shows bright amber and copper highlights, with a wide and clean orange edge that contrasts markedly with the center.

Nose: A radical shift from the sobriety shown in earlier tastings; here, the wine is exuberant and eager to express itself. This is Murrieta at its peak. Subtle, refined and perfumed, it possesses a sober elegance and impeccable roundness that borders on perfection. It exhibits that multilayered complexity found only in the bodega’s most legendary vintages. In the glass, it acts like a home, exhaling aromas of cigar humidor, aromatic coffee, leaf litter, morels, Virginia pipe tobacco, orange marmalade, candied cherries and cacao butter. It is both powerful and ethereal: fragrant, evocative and of exceptional quality. It remains unaltered for several hours of aeration. Rich, deeply integrated notes of cured wood and ancestral solera nuances abound. Gradually, a character almost wild emerges, in the Cabernet Sauvignon style —despite the blend— revealing black fruits, balsamic notes (mint, ivy, sage) and exotic spices over a background of bitter cacao and subtle toasted nuances. Enveloping and astonishingly expansive.

Palate: On the palate, it maintains this impressive level. Lively and fresh, characterized by vibrant acidity and tannins with a soft, silky, almost indefinable texture. Its finesse and energy are astonishing, sustained by that deep Murrieta character that makes it unmistakable. A complex tapestry woven with patience over decades of bottle age; the ultrafine reduction and the elegant roundness are almost unbelievable. Monumental! Its exquisite flavor is so deep that it borders on astounding. The summit of Rioja viticulture.

Appearance: A bright ruby-red color of medium depth; notably stable in color, with orange and garnet reflections. A broad edge, slightly orange, contrasts markedly with the center.

Nose: An initial surprise. Although free of faults, the wine was hermetically sealed, completely mute. Only a faint balsamic note, almost mentholated, emerged, along with touches of coal and burnt coffee. After six hours of bottle aeration, the transformation is complete. Now it is communicative, expansive and powerfully intact. It acts like a home, exhaling a cloud of strands of English tobacco, smoked pepper, clove, powdered bay leaf, and dried mushrooms, over a trace of red fruit preserve. Its breadth and vigor make it a multifaceted experience where the nuances intertwine intimately. A mysterious spicy hint lends a Cabernet-like appeal, adding a layer of intrigue to the whole.

Palate: On the palate, the wine is an explosion of energy. The first impression is medium-bodied with notable freshness: spicy, sophisticated and of the highest quality. It bears a clearly traditional profile, but is redefined with vibrant liveliness and penetrating acidity that intensifies ripe fruit and creamy toasted notes. Refined yet solid; deep. This is perhaps the liveliest Murrieta we have tasted this year. It shows no signs of weakness and certainly has the structural integrity to be cellared for several more years. Another benchmark wine from a legendary vintage.

Each lot is shipped individually and there is absolutely no possibility of grouping, as the transport rate used is MONOBULTO.

The state of the wine is never guaranteed; it is a collectible wine.

I am not responsible for any cork leakage inside the bottle during transport.
If shipping to countries with low temperatures such as Norway or Finland and the wine freezes, I am not responsible.

Due to rising temperatures in summer months, I am exempt in the case that any of the bottles could suffer a leak due to heat, vehicle or improper storage by the transport company.

It is a new, unused item.

Notes:
When dealing with such old wines, it is better to let them rest again in the cellar for up to 2 months so the sediment settles. To improve the tasting experience, it is advisable to open the bottle 2 hours before consuming it for better oxygenation.

If you are buying in the Balearic Islands, the sale price increases; an EXTRA will be added since shipping to the mainland is not the same as to the ISLAS. Payment will be by Bizum or Bank Transfer.

Shipping will be via Old Logistics.

Note: The stain on the capsule of the 1954 is dried wine from many years, but not a hole where the cork is not visible."