TN: 2015 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

WINE TALK
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  • 2015 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (3/13/2021)
    This is one of those wines where the modest price of $22.50 fools you into thinking that this will be an easy going daily drinker. Past vintages I have always found pretty accessible, but this 15 is a tannic beast. Some enjoyment to be found sure, very dark blackberries and a nice blend of spice and earth, did I mention the tannins? Give this a serious decant or lay down 5 years, maybe more. Props though for Muga not dumbing this down to have mass appeal. (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

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Have had enough of this wine, in previous vintages, to say I agree with the easy going descriptor. A tannic beast it never was.

Given the different direction on the 2015, it intrigues and, somewhat, appeal. I’ll be on the lookout.

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I’m a big fan of the 2015 Marques de Murrieta Reserva Finca Ygay at around the same price point. Haven’t had the Muga in a while, but maybe I should buy a few bottles…

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I am a fan both. The Muga has crept up to about $30 locally. Still a wine I buy every year, but not the steal it once was.

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2015 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (3/13/2021)
This is one of those wines where the modest price of $22.50 fools you into thinking that this will be an easy going daily drinker. Past vintages I have always found pretty accessible, but this 15 is a tannic beast. Some enjoyment to be found sure, very dark blackberries and a nice blend of spice and earth, did I mention the tannins? Give this a serious decant or lay down 5 years, maybe more. Props though for Muga not dumbing this down to have mass appeal. (90 pts.)

Sounds like a day 3 experiment for me.

I have not tasted the 14 or 15. I used to get this wine for $19.99 on sale and occasionally less in the closeout bins but noticed it has crept up to $27.00 on sale

6

I had the 2015 Muga Reserva a few days ago too; it was very good over two days. I liked 2010 a touch better (at age 10ish) but would expect this year to keep well too. I know there’s a lot of (warranted!) hate for TW around here, but check a local one if you have them. For large production estates with some competition, they can have a very sharp pencil. Examples: 2016 Muga is $19 at mine, 2016 Guigal [Gigondas] $25 etc - those prices are as of yest.

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Hi Max, Indded the 15 MdM Reserva is a silly good wine for $21 and offers a lot more for immediate consumption. That being said, I P&P my first bottle and I believe that extended air would have made it even better. Good times.

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It was definitely better on day 2!

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It was definitely better on day 2!

Love seeing day 2 and 3 movement. Again why I think pro critics are not legit as they pop and pour these wines and review. More should be revisiting these newer wines day 2/3.

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  • 2015 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (8/28/2022)
    8 Months ago – I found this rather tannic and not all that fun to drink. Last night, wide open and just flat out delicious. The French oak is felt early, but its well placed, adding a ever so slight creamy texture. Terrific balance between dark fruit / tannins / and cleansing back half acidity. This would age out for some time, no question. At $22.50, a silly good value play. (92 points)
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I thought Muga is one of the few Riojanes that actually uses French oak?

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Could be, I guess I was just assuming it was American. Good Catch. Edited.

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Which begs the question (beyond Dale) - do you like US wood or the Froggy kind on your Rioja?

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I think that in most Riojas the majority of the oak used is so old that it is hard if not impossible to tell if it’s French, American, Slavonian or whatever.

Dan Kravitz