The 2004 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial is a benchmark classic Rioja—elegant, complex, and richly textured. It speaks of its origin through a harmonious blend, extended American oak aging, and tasting notes that range from leather and dried fruit to mocha and mineral layers. Critically acclaimed and widely appreciated by enthusiasts alike, it remains a fine exemplar of Rioja’s esteemed tradition.
Tasting Profile & Expert Scores
Neal Martin (Vinous / Wine Advocate, 2012) rated it 95/100, describing aromas of leather, mocha, coffee beans, and red berries. On the palate: viscous entry, dried fig and date nuances, fresh acidity, fine powdery tannins, and a vibrant, eloquent expression of Rioja tradition bbr.comFarr Vintners.
Falstaff (Peter Moser, tasting 2019) also awarded 95 points, noting a strong ruby hue with purple reflections, fig, noble wood, dark fruit, candied orange zest, plum, and a long finish laced with mineral, chocolate, and dried fig notes
Marqués de Murrieta 'Castillo Ygay' Gran Reserva 2004
Marqués de Murrieta – Rioja’s Historic Benchmark
Marqués de Murrieta is one of the founding estates of Rioja, established in 1852 by Don Luciano de Murrieta, who introduced Bordeaux techniques (notably oak aging) to the region. This helped lay the foundations for Rioja as a fine-wine appellation. Based at the iconic Ygay Estate outside Logroño in Rioja Alta, Murrieta owns more than 300 hectares of vineyards surrounding its restored 19th-century Castillo de Ygay.
The style is resolutely classical: Tempranillo is the backbone, often blended with Graciano, Mazuelo (Carignan), and Garnacha. Long aging in oak—historically American, though now often complemented by French—is central to the identity of the wines, especially the flagship Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, one of Spain’s most revered and age-worthy reds. Alongside its traditional reds, the estate also produces a benchmark white Rioja, Capellanía, a single-vineyard Viura aged extensively in oak, showcasing the category’s complexity and longevity.
Today, under the leadership of Vicente Dalmau Cebrián-Sagarriga (Count of Creixell), Marqués de Murrieta continues to bridge Rioja’s history with modern precision, remaining one of the region’s touchstones for quality and tradition.
