Wouldn’t drink them on 100 degree days but winter is coming and perfect with a beef stew.
2017 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (10/30/2021)
Day 1: Pretty intense bottle on the pop and pour which is to be expected. Spices, bright red currants, crushed rock, violets, wood and dust. Very enjoyable wine. Should mellow out throughout the day and on days 2 and 3. 91 points
Day 1.5: Wow what five hours will do. This is amazing. Mineral streak, cherry, raspberries, floral, spice, dust and mild wood. This is a top wine of the year for me under $30.00. 93+ points
Getting a case of this wine! Amazing value.
Had to try another one and now confirmed need to get a case. Might be the Muga Reserva by far that I have tasted. Never got this complexity and evolution over 3 days.
2017 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (11/19/2021)
Day 1: Red berries, spice, mint, mild wood and rustic elements. Very flavorful and having 2 bottles already this is drinking great on a pop and pour. Very enjoyable over the 3 day process and this will age nicely for five/eight years. Would not do long term aging on this one however. 92 points
Day 2: Red berries, earth, mild wood, spice, floral and stone. Rustic edge to the wine which is always something I enjoy about Rioja wines. 92 points
Day 2.5: Holly cow! In my lifetime I have never had two better 2.5 tastings of two wines. The 2016 L’Ecole No. 41 Perigee Estate Seven Hills Vineyard was left in a glass all day and rocked but this Muga later in the day is maybe even better. I love the funk and this is the first time I have gotten it on this 2017 Muga. Delivers red currants, earth, minerals, exotic spices, dust, gravel and sweet floral notes. Medium plus and complex finish. This will probably be top 3 wine of the year especially considering the value element. 94 points
Day 3: Still great but not as good as day 2.5. Hit that at the peak moment. Blueberries, sour cherry, dust, minerals, earth and spices. Medium plus finish. 93 points
Recommendation: Buy! I need to get at least another case of this wine. Hard to tell how long to age them as they are so great with proper decant or day 2/3 right now. 2030 probably is safe and maybe beyond. (94 points)
Another Stellar bottle. One of the bigger transformations on day 3. Tasted like a La Rioja Alta 904
2017 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (11/30/2021)
Day 1: Fourth bottle in two months. Sour cherry, earth, spices, dust, wood and floral notes. Packs a ton of flavor and medium plus finish. Just really enjoyable young and continues to impress. 93 points
Day 2: Nice perfumed floral notes along with sour cherry, wood, earth, cigar, minerals, pepper and dust. Medium plus finish. 93-94.
Day 3: Might be the most interesting transformation of day 3 in quite some time. This is the first time I have tasted a Muga Reserva and got dill at this level of intensity. It is like I am drinking a La Rioja Alta 904. I like this transformation and it offers dill, wood, dust, earth, spice and red fruits. Wow what a wine! Buy a case and enjoy over the next decade. 94 points (94 points)
Thanks for the great notes, John! I probably would have skipped this vintage otherwise, but picked up a few.
Had a bottle last weekend, I have to agree with you that this is the best Muga Reserva that I have ever tried so far, the 2015 is very good but this one is one is impressive. This cuvée used to be way to modern for my palate, but now they have put a foot back into the traditional Rioja style that is so appealing for me.
On tracker no one hates the wine so that is always postive.
FYI, good deal on this atm from wdc using the 20/50 codes at 28$ each. With 20% RMN cashback comes down to ~15$ per bottle when buying 2.
Where is this from?
Wine.com - I’m seeing this ordering from Cali, not sure about availability elsewhere (bought 4). Plenty of 20$ off 50$ codes posted on Best deal/coupon for on-line wine shopping - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers thread.
Also, if anyone is a new customer and needs a referral here’s mine (30$ off your 1st order): Wine.com - Buy Wine Online - Wine & Wine Gifts Delivered to You
Thanks for the clarification.
Continues to shine.
2017 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja (4/25/2022)
Day 1: Wood, mild dill, raspberries, leather, cigar and chocolate. Full of flavors and good acidity. Medium plus finish. 92 points
Day 2: The dill is not present on day 2. Really the first time I got dill on this wine. Spice, earth, cigar, leather and red currants. Medium plus finish. Solid again. 92 points
Recommendation: This continues to be a great wine and no bad bottles. (92 points)