Marques de Murrieta Castillo de Ygay Gran Reserve Especial (1989's and 1994's) is one of the most fantastic wines I have ever had the pleasure to drink. I cannot remember the first time I tasted this glorious wine - which I think is a good thing. But it was most likely during one of my visits to my friend Manolo in Barcelona. Manolo was halfway into his PhD when he invited a bunch of us to enjoy his company in the San Francisco of Europe. Well, I think he invited us only once. His company, conversation and energy is exquisite so we kept coming. He did get his PhD but that's another story.
I vaguely remember a craving for roasted lamb and the restaurant Los Caracoles but I'm not really sure. Anyway - the depth of this wonderful wine and it's raspberry, blackberry, earthy and leathery tast overwhelmed me. The wine is a classic Rioja with a excellent texture, an acidity that leaves the palate cleansed and the length is delicious. And it has one of the most beautiful labels I have ever seen (Rothschild included).
I started to buy the 89's when visiting Barcelona during the end of the 90's. It was less than $15 at the airport. Might have even been under $12 factoring in the favorable exchange rate at the time. Oh, I wish I had bought more. This wine is only made in the best years which are few and far between. I currently host about 7 bottles of the 94's in my cellar. I buy them from the Wine Bank in San Diego - a fantastic establishment run buy two brothers. The 94's are about $38 per bottle which is the deal of the century if you compare with a lot of the crap ones that Napa and Sonoma cranks out for $50 a bottle. Hmm, after checking I think we are down to 6 bottles. Well, I need to give them a call to ship another case. As a matter of fact, I should get a few just to save for the future.
The Bodega Marques de Murrieta was founded by Luciano de Murrieta y García-Lemoine. He learned about wines from his uncle Crístobal Pascual de Murrieta, who was a London banker. Luciano bought the Ygay estate in 1872 and his family had the winery until Vicente Cabrián bought it in 1983. They still run it.
I can warm-heartedly recommend this winery. It's in one of the most amazing wine regions in the world and delivers well beyond it's promises.
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