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Viinin Kuvailu
The Story
Prado Enea is the flagship wine at Muga, a steadfastly traditional Gran Reserva that is typically only produced 4 or so years per decade. A few key data points make it unique. Let's begin with the vines themselves, which are located in Sajazarra, a village amongst the coldest growing regions of Rioja Alta, further west from Haro and with harvest dates that typically extend well into October, even into November! In addition to Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha and approximately 10% Mazuelo and Graciano are blended in. This creates freshness as the latter two are higher acid grapes, which tends to result in fresh, low pH wines that age for long periods of time. Finally, in the cellar, there are various types and formats of wood vessels, from huge "tinas" to smaller new barrels, which are employed through experienced, time tested elevage to provide the wine ample opportunity to develop its stability and complexity.
Along with the grapes for Torre Muga, the Prado Enea grapes are always the last to be brought into the winery. In this way we ensure an ideal level of ripeness. The grapes are always fermented in 10,000 kilo capacity oak vats without temperature control and no addition of yeasts. The maceration period varies but can continue for as long as twenty days. This wine is aged for 12 months in 16,000-litre oak vats, thirty-six months (minimum) in oak casks and thirty-six months (minimum) in the bottle. After ageing it is lightly fined using fresh egg whites.
Wine Information
GRAPES
80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano.
SOIL
Chalky-clay and alluvial.
VINIFICATION
Along with the grapes for Torre Muga, the Prado Enea grapes are always the last to be brought into the winery. In this way we ensure an ideal level of ripeness. The grapes are always fermented in 10,000 kilo capacity oak vats without temperature control and no addition of yeasts. The maceration period varies but can continue for as long as twenty days. This wine is aged for 12 months in 16,000-litre oak vats, thirty-six months (minimum) in oak casks and thirty-six months (minimum) in the bottle. After ageing it is lightly fined using fresh egg whites.
TASTING
To the eye we have a ruby-red coloured wine with good robe and no evolution around the rim. This shows it is still in the plenitude of youth.
On the nose:Expressive and well-defined aromas of the ageing characteristics with reminders of the fruit coming through. Underlying ripe, red fruit (plums, redcurrants) but evolving into a more modern style bouquet in which subtle nuances begin to appear as the wine is allowed to breathe. First to surface are the notes of good quality wood (cedar, fresh acacia bark), followed by lots of spicy nuances (cinnamon, cloves, black pepper) and finally reminders of tobacco leaves and to finish, a set of aromas which introduce a clear modern character without losing its true identity.
Balanced structure on the palate, with body and backbone, tannins which have been fairly well polished through the ageing process but which still have some edge and sensations of noble force, a full, consistent centre, crisp, well balanced acidity, well integrated oak, full of flavour, expressive and suggestive in the mouth aromas, where the fine reminders of the wonderfully ripe grapes are even more in evidence, full, long, lingering finish which makes you want to drink some more.
An exemplary Gran reserva, well developed and still full of life. Expression of the fruit, with clean, well integrated wood.