2015 Muga 'Prado Enea' Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain (750ml)

The fruit for this ‘Prado Enea’ bottling is always the last picked, to ensure ideal ripening, and it always exceeds the minimal aging requirements for Gran Reserva of five years with at least two in barrel. It is a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% of Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano that was aged for one year in large oak vats, then another 3+ years in smaller oak barrels, and another 3+ years in bottle. Even with all that aging and time in bottle, this wine is alive and kicking. Prominent aromas of smoke, tobacco, cedar, vanilla and spice, along with gorgeous flavors of black and red berries, semi-sweet chocolate and smoked meats.

Bodegas Muga was founded in 1932 by the current generation's grandfather and is a very traditional producer, as well as one of only a few in all of Spain who owns their own cooperage. They take wood very seriously and work with it in all aspects of fermentation, aging and storage, using French oak in about 50% of their wines, American oak in about 40% and Central European in 10%. The estate covers 620 hectares of vines, and the family also controls another 320 hectares that are farmed by smaller growers.