1998 Muga Rioja Prado Enea Gran Reserva

91 points from the Wine Advocate! They say, " The 1998 Prado Enea Gran Reserva is 80% Tempranillo and the balance Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano. It is aged for one year in large oak followed by 3 years in new French oak and 3 years in bottle prior to release. This medium ruby colored wine seems to combine traditional and modern elements beginning with a classic nose of earth, cedar, tobacco, spice box, and red currants. Medium-bodied with a velvety texture, the wine offers elegance and lovely balance but also plenty of fleshy flavor. The fruit has enough structure to drink well for at least another 6-8 years. 2/28/2007" This blend of 80% tempranillo and 20% garnacha, mazuelo and graciano. The grapes destined for Muga's exclusive Prado Enea are always the last to enter the winery, which means they are only picked after reaching an optimum maturity and ripeness. Fermentation is traditional with maceration lasting as long as 30 days in order to absorb all of the flavor and nuance from the grape skins and solids. Aged for 12 months in large wood barrels and a further 36 months in barrique. A beautiful and very complex Spanish red that wonderfully combines the old world and new world styles of winemaking.