2007 Marqués de Murrieta "Castillo Ygay" Gran Reserva Especial Rioja

A worthy follow-up of the 2005, the 2007 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial will be released in late 2015. This is a cuvée of mostly Tempranillo with the balance of Mazuelo (Cariñena), a very important grape for Castillo de Ygay in percentages that vary depending on the vintage, and it's almost 15% in 2007. 2007 was not an easy vintage and in Ygay they had a terrible mildew attack and they lost 50% of the bunches. It's a cold, rainy year, but because of that circumstance the wine is concentrated. This is still a baby, long and with depth and tannins that should melt in a couple of years. Compared with the 2005 it is fresher, perhaps not as concentrated, but for me the extra freshness compensates and puts it at a very similar quality level. And the rule of thumb is to wait at least ten years after the harvest to start uncorking any Castillo de Ygay. Cheap it is not, but very good value it is, for the quality it delivers. (LG) 95+

I always have a soft spot for this wine. The first Rioja that I ever purchased to put into my cellar was the 1989. The '07 is my favorite release since the '94. What makes this wine stand out for me is the balance, on every level. The aromatics carry fruit, spice, something floral and the right amount of oak. This is not as powerfully built as some of the more recent releases, it dances on the palate with fresh dark and sour red fruits gliding over polished tannins and playing with integrated oak spice and plenty of earth. The finish just goes and goes. Drink it tonight but put a couple of bottles away, I'll be checking in with this wine again in about 10 years.