Muga Reserva Unfiltered

D.O.Ca. Rioja

Barrio de la Estación, Haro, Rioja Alta.

70% Tempranillo, 30% Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo

Estate vineyards (65%) and vineyards leased on long term contracts, with viticulture controlled by the winery, in the foothills of the Montes Obarenes and the Sierra Cantabria, primarily in the northwestern villages of Rioja Alta.

1950-2000

Traditional Rioja viticulture that is sustainable and organic, but not certified. A blend of goblet trained and vineyards. The vineyards are not irrigated and are farmed without the use of harmful chemically synthesized fungicides, pesticides or herbicides.

Calcareous clay

Continental with Atlantic influences

Hand-harvested and transported to the winery in one ton bins to protect the grapes from bruising and crushing. The berries are destemmed and optically sorted, but not crushed. Fermentation is started via pied de cuve in oak vats of varying sizes that are produced on the premises at Bodegas Muga. Muga is the only winery in Spain that builds its own fermentation vats. Malolactic is delayed until late Spring by cooling the cellars with ambient air. Malolactic is spontaneous and takes place in the fermentation vessel.

24 months in French (70%) and American (30%) oak barriques that are neutral. These barrels are produced from staves aged in the premises and coopered on the winery's premises. Muga was the first winery in Spain to have an in-house cooperage. The wine is aged for a minimum of 12 months in bottle before release.

Muga Reserva Unfiltered is Muga's flagship wine, and the only red wine they produce vintage over vintage. This is one of Rioja's most consistent cuvées qualitatively, as Muga declassifies all of their top vineyards, which in top vintages are reserved for Selección Especial, Prado Enea, Torre Muga, and Aro, into the Reserva in years when the top cuvées are not produced.