Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Gran Reserva 2015

98 points James Suckling: "This is historical Rioja in the glass with dark-berry, Spanish-cedar, bark, mahogany and light earth aromas that follow through to a full body with firm, fine tannins that are layered and intense. It really is multilayered, with a citrus and cedar aftertaste. Wonderful length and composure. Try after 2023, but already fantastic. (2/3/22)"

96 points Tim Atkin, MW: "Darker and more concentrated than the 2014 release, this is a superb Gran Reserva from María Vargas. Based on Tempranillo with 20% Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha Tinta, it's still youthful and energetic, with layers of damson, black fig and blackberry fruit, scented, fine-grained American oak and the minerality and focus to age beautifully in bottle. 2025-35. (2022)"

96 points Falstaff Guide: "Deep ruby garnet, violet reflections, broad ochre rim. Ripe plums, some nougat, delicate nuances of precious wood, black cherries and candied orange zest are underlaid. Juicy, elegant, red cherries, fresh acidity, fine, supporting tannins, mineral on the finish, modern and precise, red fruit nuances on the finish, a balanced food companion with further ageing potential. (12/2/22)"

95 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2015 Gran Reserva from Marqués de Murrieta is also not yet released, but we should be seeing it in the market in the not too distant future. The wine is going to be outstanding, as it delivers a complex and black fruity aromatic constellation of dark berries, black cherries, brown spices, cigar smoke, a touch of nutmeg, a refined base of soil, gentle notes of nutskin and a lovely foundation of oak, which seems to derived from a combination of American and a touch of French casks. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, tangy and complex, with outstanding depth in the mid-palate, fine focus and bounce, well-integrated, ripe tannins and a long, beautifully balanced and very complex finish. This is outstanding juice. 2027-2075. (Mar/Apr 2022)"

94 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "A barrel selection of the most age-worthy wines from the vintage, the 2015 Gran Reserva Limited Edition is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 9% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha from their 300 hectares of vineyards. The grapes were picked between the September 14 and October 16; the destemmed and lightly crushed grapes were fermented by plot and variety in stainless steel, and the varieties aged separately for 27 months in American barrels. Tasted next to the wines from 2018 and onward, this is a more powerful and concentrated wine, also because of the style of the vintage. The concept is to make a wine with more structure, power and aging potential. It's very classical with notes from the aging in American oak clearly recognizable, very spicy and tasty. The wine is medium to full-bodied and powerful but already developed by some time in bottle; it's spicy, tasty, chalky and still young with potential to age. Drink 2022-2032. (7/14/22)"

94 points Wine Enthusiast: "A nose of brambly dark berries with a touch of pine needle prepare the palate for flavors of blackberry, cassis, cocoa powder, coffee bean and eucalyptus. Tannins come on a bit heavy and then recede into a minty finish. Alcohol 14%. (May 2023)"