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2001 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (3/4/2012)
From memory… This was outright delicious. the nose was enticing. I got cocoa covered cherries and a mix of dried flowers and herbs. Savory. The taste was soooo smooth. It included the perfect mix of cherry, some tart red fruit, some candied violets, and a touch a earth and minerals all wrapped in silky tannins. This was a pop n pour and was ready to drink within 5 minutes. I’m sure this could last another 5 years, but why wait. (94 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker
Terrific wine. I think it has a long life ahead of it and could get better.
Picked up 3 bottles of the 85 at auction for a very decent price this past week. A friend of mine who has quite a bit of experience with Muga in general told me that the style of the Prado Enea has drastically changed since the 94. Apparently the fruit that originally went into the wine was redirected into the more “luxury” cuvées (Torre Muga, Aro, etc.) and the house style, as a whole, focused on more ripeness, wood and so forth. Looking forward to popping one of those 85s.
Interesting information. I’ve never been enthusiastic about Muga’s wines except for the Prado Eneas I have had. Most of the Muga wines tend to be thick, extracted and heavy. Very modern. Not what I look for from Rioja.
I love Muga. My favorite Rioja bodega, maybe even my favorite Iberian winery. What I really enjoy is how all their wines, across so wide a range of styles and prices, seem sincere and appropriate for the genre. How hey make so lovely a traditional rioja like Prado Enea and so sexy a modern Rioja like Torre Muga is a marvel.
I usually buy all of the Muga’s with exception of the Aro - a bit steep for me. The Torre, I find, is fruit forward and a powerhouse. The Prado - which I’ve had in previous years and they can be a bit lean - the 2001 was marvelous. just the right balance for me. I thought quite feminine, but such a provocative nose. I can still smell it from Saturday. My wife and I had with Halibut in a Caper and Onion Sauce with Mushrooms - it was sooo good together.
I didn’t know that about the stylistic change, but that makes sense. My first experience with Muga (besides the entry level) was when a client took me out to dinner and asked me to order wine. It was in a Spanish restaurant in NYC. And I didn’t know much back then (not that I do now) and we ordered a Torre Muga from the early 70’s. Holy $%^#! That was incredible, and I became a Muga follower ever since.
Alex, something tells me that Torre Muga hasn’t been made that long.
you may be right - this was from memory and the dinner was probably around 1999. But it was a Muga and it was from the 70’s, I just assumed it was Torre… I guess then Prado.
I vaguely remember 1971 was the year. and from the internet - it looks like the Gran Reserva. I really don’t remember. Just that it was Muga.
tried from mag couple of nights ago. nice development. sitting at a good place now: twiner. still youthful but showing nice hints of development.
recommended.
This is a stunning wine - young, lush and refined. To me, the two best '01 Riojas I have had have been this and the Murrietta Castillo yGay Gran Reserva.
better last more than 5 years as i have 2 cases set aside for kids weddings or special events. I always tell people its the “house” wine
“Prado Enea”, as far as I know, means “cattails meadow” in English. I wonder why they called it that. I don’t remember seeing any cattail meadows around the area…
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2001 Bodegas Muga Rioja Gran Reserva Prado Enea - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (8/11/2012)
Color: Ruby with faint bricking
Smell: Earth, mushrooms, grilled meats, and dark red fruits
Taste: Dark red fruits, dried red fruits, and an almost rustic earthy note that seems to ebb and flow between being dusty and something that reminds me of the forest floor.
Overall: Decanted for 30 minutes at the time of this note. Medium body, medium fruit, med+ acid, and a long mouth-watering finish. Outstanding.
Posted from CellarTracker
Oh I have an unopened case and now I want to drink one!
Honestly, if I had a full case…I’d wait another year or more. While this is an outstanding wine…I think it will be better in a little while.
Popping the first one tonight!
My local shop has the 2005 Prado Enea for $50. Anyone had that vintage? Is it okay to drink now?
I had a bottle a month ago and it was incredible (assuming this style of wine is in your wheelhouse). One of the top wine values in the world IMHO.
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