96 points Joaquín Hidalgo (Vinous): "The 2016 Gran Reserva is a meticulously crafted blend of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 8% Mazuelo sourced from the esteemed Ygay Estate in Rioja Alta. It aged for up to 26 months in American oak barrels. This wine epitomizes the essence of Rioja reds when vineyard management and winemaking precision align with a distinct stylistic vision. Presenting an opaque garnet hue, it entices with a bouquet of complex aromas: plum marmalade, herbal undertones, maraschino cherry, dried fruits, licorice and subtle hints of balsamic and menthol. On the palate, it offers a dry and robust profile with a velvety, juicy texture. The finish is long, balanced and harmonious. The 2016 vintage exemplifies a wine crafted for aging, just beginning to reveal the nuances and intricacies of a bouquet that will evolve with time. Drink: 2024-2035. (Apr 2024)"
96 points Tim Atkin, MW: "Very much the product of a cooler vintage, the 2016 Gran Reserva is a wine that will reward patience. Combining Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 8% Mazuelo, each aged separately in American oak, this is perfumed and lightly balsamic, with vanilla, wild herb and brown toast top notes, lots of chalky minerality and flavours of damson and blackberry. 2026-2040. (2023)"
96 points James Suckling: "Aromas of black berries, black olives, black truffles, autumn leaves and earth. Grilled orange peel. Very complex. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a complex and complete finish. Nicely persistent and focused. 26 months in American oak. Drink or hold. (10/9/23)"
94+ points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "A barrel selection of the most age-worthy wines from the vintage make the 2016 Gran Reserva Limited Edition, this year a blend of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 8% Mazuelo selected from their 300 hectares of vineyards. The grapes were picked between October 10th and 18th. The destemmed and lightly crushed grapes were fermented by plot and variety in stainless steel, and the varieties were aged separately in American barrels for 26 months. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.56 and 5.4 grams of acidity. Tasting this in the context of the current vintages, it's clear that we're talking about a different era—more traditional, meatier, not as precise as other wines from more recent years, quite balsamic but with a solid palate, texture and balance, halfway between tradition and modernity. It was bottled in July 2019. Drink: 2022-2034. (2/29/24)"
94 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep garnet, with purple reflections and a broad ochre rim. A hint of nougat and vanilla, delicate notes of dried herbs, preserved black cherry, ripe plum, tobacco and candied orange zest. Juicy, ripe red fruits of the forest, fruity sweetness, lively acidity and ripe tannins. Salty and lemony, with a hint of currants and blackberries on the finish, the wine is a lively and almost light-footed food companion. (Jan 2024)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "[$80 list] Poised and harmonious, with a generous range of plum sauce, chopped black cherry, Earl Grey tea, graphite and cola notes sculpted by fine, chalky tannins. Long and fragrant, this is fresh and focused on the palate, with appealing hints of cocoa powder, dried lavender and leather lingering on the finish. Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2036. (7/31/24)"
96 points Tim Atkin, MW: "Very much the product of a cooler vintage, the 2016 Gran Reserva is a wine that will reward patience. Combining Tempranillo with 10% Graciano and 8% Mazuelo, each aged separately in American oak, this is perfumed and lightly balsamic, with vanilla, wild herb and brown toast top notes, lots of chalky minerality and flavours of damson and blackberry. 2026-2040. (2023)"
96 points James Suckling: "Aromas of black berries, black olives, black truffles, autumn leaves and earth. Grilled orange peel. Very complex. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a complex and complete finish. Nicely persistent and focused. 26 months in American oak. Drink or hold. (10/9/23)"
94+ points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "A barrel selection of the most age-worthy wines from the vintage make the 2016 Gran Reserva Limited Edition, this year a blend of 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 8% Mazuelo selected from their 300 hectares of vineyards. The grapes were picked between October 10th and 18th. The destemmed and lightly crushed grapes were fermented by plot and variety in stainless steel, and the varieties were aged separately in American barrels for 26 months. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.56 and 5.4 grams of acidity. Tasting this in the context of the current vintages, it's clear that we're talking about a different era—more traditional, meatier, not as precise as other wines from more recent years, quite balsamic but with a solid palate, texture and balance, halfway between tradition and modernity. It was bottled in July 2019. Drink: 2022-2034. (2/29/24)"
94 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Deep garnet, with purple reflections and a broad ochre rim. A hint of nougat and vanilla, delicate notes of dried herbs, preserved black cherry, ripe plum, tobacco and candied orange zest. Juicy, ripe red fruits of the forest, fruity sweetness, lively acidity and ripe tannins. Salty and lemony, with a hint of currants and blackberries on the finish, the wine is a lively and almost light-footed food companion. (Jan 2024)"
93 points Wine Spectator: "[$80 list] Poised and harmonious, with a generous range of plum sauce, chopped black cherry, Earl Grey tea, graphite and cola notes sculpted by fine, chalky tannins. Long and fragrant, this is fresh and focused on the palate, with appealing hints of cocoa powder, dried lavender and leather lingering on the finish. Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha. Drink now through 2036. (7/31/24)"
| Product SKU | 351457 |
| Producer | Marqués de Murrieta |
| Country | Spain |
| Region | Rioja |
| Varietal | Tempranillo/Tinto Fino |
| Designation | Gran Reserva |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| Blend | 82% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano and 8% Mazuelo |
| ABV | 14.0% |
| Ships To |
