2005 Rioja Reserva

The 2005 Reserva is a blend of 84% Tempranillo, 13% Garnacha and 3% Mazuelo. It has an attractive bouquet with clove and mint informing the lush red fruits that have fine delineation. The palate has a sweet, chocolate-tinged entry laid over a sweet core of vanillary red fruit: a Rioja defined by the American oak. It is commercially very savvy, although it needs more delineation and tension on the finish. Drink now-2018. One of the most famous names in Rioja, Marques de Murrieta was founded in 1852 by Luciano Murrieta, who was inspired by his three-year sojourn in Bordeaux. In 1983 it was purchased by Vicente Dalmau Cebrian-Sagarriga and presently, winemaker Maria Vargas oversees their portfolio that includes both modern and classic styles of Rioja. The 300 hectares of vines on the Ygay Estate in La Rioja Alta allows them to control the quality and within this estate they have singled out specific parcels for their flagship wines. I will start with the white wines. I must confess that I was alarmed by the amount of oxidation shown by the three vintages of Capellania Blanco Reserva that I tasted. Both bottles of the 2005 and 2006 appeared to be excessively oxidized to a degree that I will not pass judgement. Importer: Maisons Marques & Domaines, Oakland CA; tel. (510) 587-2000.