Marques de Murrieta Gran Reserva 2005

Pours a thin but hazy red, the oakiness isn't to hard at all and actually quite light. Red fruit, burnt toast and nuts come to the front but is let down slightly by the punchiness of the taste as its right on top of you, no subtlety at all.

93 points from Wine and Spirits, From Finca Ygay, one of the great estates of Rioja Alta, this wine is particularly concentrated due to April frosts, which reduced the crop to 60 percent of normal. The Gran Reserva Especial has historically been aged for decades at the bodega; this vintage, released after eight years, is still tight and closed. But even when it's first poured, the wine's sophistication shows in the firm mesh of the structure. It expands as it takes on air, developing the ease and give that makes this 2000 delicious to drink now, a spicy red for thick-cut lamb chops. 90 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, There are 8400 cases of the 2000 Gran Reserva Especial Castillo Ygay, a blend of 87% Tempranillo and 13% Mazuelo aged for 34 months in American oak barriques. Deep crimson-colored, it offers up an enticing perfume of cedar, pencil lead, earth notes, and black fruits. This leads to a supple-textured, layered wine with ample black cherry, spice, and blackberry flavors. The lengthy wine has excellent grip and enough structure to evolve for another 3-5 years. It should be at its peak from 2010 to 2022.

A blend of mostly Tempranillo with a little Graciano and Garnacha that spent 24 months in a combination of American and French oak. The bottle I tried was 500 ml size. See through ruby brickish color with an aromatic nose of tobacco, leather, forest floor, dried cherry, and dried herbs. Medium bodied, bright acidity, soft slightly gritty tannins, medium + finish. The palate has some flavors of black cherries, smokiness, tobacco, and earthiness. This is a classic old school Rioja that is definitely food friendly and a great value at $13.50 for a 10 year old wine, can't really go wrong with that. 3.5/5