2020 Marques de Murrieta Dalmau Reserva

The 2020 Marqués de Murrieta Dalmau Reserva is a bold, modern expression of Rioja Alta, crafted from a single vineyard and designed for those who love depth, structure and elegance in their red wines. Sitting at the top tier of Marqués de Murrieta’s range, Dalmau combines classic Rioja heritage with an international, Bordeaux-inspired edge. Since its first vintages, it has become one of the most sought-after contemporary Riojas, regularly highlighted by critics for its concentration and aging potential.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Dalmau Reserva shows a deep, almost opaque ruby core with violet reflections, signaling both youth and intensity. The nose is complex and layered: ripe blackberries, cassis and dark cherries are wrapped in notes of graphite, cocoa, espresso, cedar and sweet spice, with hints of dried herbs, violets and a touch of licorice emerging as it opens. On the palate, this is a powerful yet finely sculpted Rioja. Expect a full-bodied texture with dense, ripe black fruit, plum and blackberry coulis, supported by firm but polished tannins and a vibrant line of acidity that keeps everything fresh. The influence of new French oak is evident in flavors of dark chocolate, vanilla pod and toasted spice, but it is well integrated into the wine’s generous fruit. The finish is long, savory and persistent, with mineral undertones and a touch of balsamic complexity typical of top Rioja Alta sites. While already impressive in its youth, the 2020 Dalmau Reserva has the structure to evolve beautifully over 10–15 years or more, gaining even greater nuance and silkiness with time in bottle.

Production
The 2020 Dalmau Reserva is sourced from Marqués de Murrieta’s celebrated single vineyard, Canajas, within the Finca Ygay estate in Rioja Alta. This high-altitude terroir, with its poor, stony, calcareous soils, naturally limits yields and concentrates flavor, while the region’s Atlantic influence brings cool nights that help preserve aromatic precision and acidity. The blend typically centers on Tempranillo with a significant portion of Cabernet Sauvignon and a touch of Graciano, harvested by hand at optimal ripeness with meticulous selection in both vineyard and cellar. Vinification is aimed at extracting depth and structure: fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks, followed by an extended maceration to build texture. The wine then matures predominantly in new French oak barrels for around 19 months, allowing fine-grained tannins, subtle toast and spice to marry with the fruit, before additional bottle aging refines its profile prior to release.

Food & Serving
This is a gastronomic Rioja that shines alongside richly flavored dishes. Think dry-aged ribeye, roast lamb with rosemary and garlic, venison, slow-braised short ribs or oxtail, as well as truffle risotto, mushroom ragù and aged hard cheeses like Manchego curado or Comté. It also pairs beautifully with charred vegetables and dishes featuring roasted peppers, black olives and rosemary. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight both its aromatic complexity and structural finesse. Decanting for 1–2 hours is recommended in its youth to allow the wine to fully open, soften the tannins and reveal the full spectrum of fruit, spice and mineral notes.

Producer
Marqués de Murrieta is one of Rioja’s most historic and influential estates, founded in 1852 and credited with helping establish Rioja as a world-class wine region. Located at the iconic Finca Ygay in Rioja Alta, the bodega combines a deep respect for tradition with a commitment to innovation, overseeing its own vineyards and vinifying exclusively estate-grown fruit. Over the last decades, Murrieta has undergone a remarkable qualitative renaissance, restoring its historic winery while refining its vineyard management and winemaking to produce some of Spain’s most acclaimed wines. Dalmau Reserva represents the estate’s avant-garde side: a single-vineyard, French-oak-aged red that showcases the potential of Rioja’s noble terroirs through a more modern, powerful and ageworthy style, consistently earning high scores and international recognition.

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