Muga Reserva Rioja 2022

Bodegas Muga Reserva, Rioja, Haro, Spain, 2022  

Grapes: A blend of Tempranillo 70%, Garnacha 20%, Mazuelo and Graciano 10%, hand harvested, indigenous yeast fermentation in wooden vats, 24 months' ageing in French/American oak barrels

Producer Tasting Note:

The 2022 harvest, which was hot in character with early ripening, produced a wine with great aromatic intensity. A wine with a marked fruity profile, with clean aromas and delicate reminders of the undergrowth. The ageing is very well integrated, enhancing the freshness and complexity. On the palate it is well-balanced, with firm but silky tannins, good structure and a long finish. It stands out for its perfectly balanced acidity and soft tannins. Perfect for enjoying now, but again thanks to its great balance and structure, it can remain in the bottle for several years.

Critics' Tasting Notes:

"Chocolate, dark fruit and spices with pinecone. Medium- to full-bodied, succulent, with polished tannins, length and definition on the finish. This comes from various plots planted within a radius of 25 km from the winery. A blend of tempranillo, garnacha, mazuelo and graciano. Drink or hold."

93/100 points, JamesSuckling.com, May 2026

"The 2022 Reserva, sold as Crianza in Spain, has more tertiary notes than other people's Gran Reserva, even though it has a very classical profile. It is mostly Tempranillo with some Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano from vineyards no more than 25 kilometers from the winery in Haro, cropped from a warm and dry year. Here, what they did was wait; it rained a little, the plants unblocked and they had the patience to wait for the grapes to ripen fully. So, the grapes were in a very healthy state, and winemaker Isaac Muga likes to ferment the grapes destemmed and lightly crushed in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and then mature the wine in 90% French and 10% American oak barrels for 22 months, with racking every eight to nine months. It has good ripeness, 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.59 and 5.45 grams of acidity, and it's medium- to full bodied, concentrated but sleek and polished, with fine-grained tannins, very supple flavors and a chalky finish. It still has some toasty notes in the finish that should integrate with a little bit more time. 945,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in January 2025. They are very happy with 2022, and they even produced Prado Enea and a tiny quantity of Aro."

93/100 points, Luis Gutierrez, WINE ADVOCATE, March 2026

Also awarded 93/100 points by Tim Atkin MW, January 2026

Bodegas Muga is one of the most traditional producers in Rioja Alta with a 90 year history of winemaking. With harvesting by hand, natural indigenous yeast fermentation in wooden vats, ageing for 24 months in oak barrels (80% French & 20% American), egg white fining before bottling followed by a minimum of 12 months' cellar ageing before release, these are wines to be savoured.

Food Match: This wine will be an excellent accompaniment to meat dishes like a ribeye steak, as well as with charcuterie and all kinds of casseroles.