Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2011

98 points James Suckling: "Extremely well-mannered, traditional character to this, showing layer upon layer of savory complexity on the nose, with iron, dried meat, tobacco, balsamic fruit, dried red berries, orange peel, leather and dried mushrooms. A medium-to full-bodied, linear and zesty Rioja that’s full of nuanced flavors that linger through the very long, savory finish. Floral, too. Yet, it remains bright and precise. Tempranillo with 16% mazuelo. Drink on release or hold. (7/6/22)"

97 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "[$239 list] The 2011 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial was produced with a blend of 84% Tempranillo and 16% Mazuelo (Cariñena) from a plot called La Plana that was planted in 1950 at 485 meters in altitude, the highest in the Ygay property. The grapes were picked between September 17 and 22, and the Mazuelo was later, on September 28. The bunches were destemmed and lightly crushed and put to ferment in stainless steel for 11 days with constant pump-overs and punch-downs. The Tempranillo matured for 28 months in American oak barrels and the Mazuelo for 28 months in French barriques. It's 14% alcohol and has a pH of 3.65 with 5.6 grams of acidity (measured in tartaric acid per liter). It's very tough to follow a vintage like 2010, and 2011 was not an easy year; the wine is possibly more powerful and concentrated but keeping the freshness, with a longer élevage but very young and lively, with an elegant texture and mouthfeel, great balance and elegance. The wine feels lively, and it seems impossible that it has been in bottle for over six years. It has the classical profile with the effect of the American oak barrels, cigar box, cedar wood, sweet spices—aromatic, intoxicating, complex. This should age very slowly and for a very long time. 131,668 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2016. No 2013, 2014 or 2015 will be produced. They have a 2012, and they will jump from that to 2016. The 2012 will be released in late 2023 or early 2024 and the 2016 in 2027 or 2028. Finger crossed... Drink: 2022-2040. (Jul 2022)"

97 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "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. Alcohol 14%. (Apr 2022)"

96 points Tim Atkin, MW: "(14%). Not quite in the same league as the world-class 2010 Ygay, but this is still a very impressive wine in its own right. Marrying Tempranillo with 15% Mazuelo, it reflects the hotter conditions of the 2011 growing season, with dense, chewy tannins, wild herb aromas, well-judged French and American oak, inky damson, black olive and fig flavours and the backbone and acidity to age. 2024-2032. (2022)"

96 points Peñín Guide to Spanish Wine: "Colour. deep cherry, garnet rim. Nose: aged wood nuances, ripe fruit, cocoa bean, cigar, toasty. Palate: flavourful, spicy, toasty, powerful tannins. (2023)"

95 points Josh Raynolds (Vinous/i>): '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. Drink: 2023-2034. (Apr 2021)"