2023 Muga Rioja Blanco
Grape
Mainly Viura with about 15% each of Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía de Rioja
Its Origins
Bodega Muga was founded in Haro in 1932 and is still in family ownership; the company farms 250 hectares in La Rioja Alta and in addition has long-standing contracts with the owners of another 150 hectares. Located in the foothills of the Montes Obarenses, the five principal vineyards (El Estepal, La Loma, Blatracones, La Loma Alta, and Sajazarra) share clay and limestone soils, each with its own unique microclimate, informed by the happy coincidence of continental, Mediterranean and Atlantic influences. The extended Muga family controls all aspects of the production and advocates the complexity afforded by the entire canon of grapes, that is to say Tempranillo, of course for the red, but also Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano in addition to Viura and Malvasia for the whites.
What The Critics Say
92/100 James Suckling
"Attractive nose with a subtle creamy touch to the melon, cantaloupe and nectarines. Crisp and dry, with a medium body and touches of salinity and phenolics at the end. Viura, malvasia and garnacha blanca. An early harvest from this hot vintage, which is crucial to keeping the acidity and liveliness of this wine. 60% fermented in barrels and the rest on the lees."
90/100 Jeb Dunnuck
"The classic white from this great estate is the 2023 Muga Blanco, which is based on 70% Viura and 30% Garnacha Blanca and Malvasía Riojana. Light gold-hued, with notes of crushed pineapple, lemon candy, and honeyed flowers, it has medium-bodied richness, a pretty, elegant mouthfeel, good acidity, and outstanding length."
16+/20 Jancis Robinson MW
"All hand-harvested. After a light maceration of the must with the skins in the press, fermentation took place in wooden vats of varying sizes and new, lightly toasted French oak from Nevers. Once alcoholic fermentation was complete, the wine remained in cask for four months with bâtonnage twice per week during the first few months, and then once a day during the final month. Winemaker Isaac Muga. Natural cork. TA 7.95 g/l, pH 3.2, RS 2.24 g/l. Vegan. Very pale. A little bit more like a white wine than a white Rioja at this stage. I suspect it will grow into a much more interesting wine with time. Lemony, fairly long finish. (JR)." Drink 2025 - 2030
| Variety | Viura |
|---|---|
| Region | Rioja |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Alcohol | 13.50% |
| Maturity | 2025 - 2030 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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