The 2018 Marques de Murrieta Capellania Blanco is a noteworthy example of Viura from the Rioja region of Spain. This white wine offers a complex profile that has garnered high praise from several respected wine critics.
James Suckling awarded the wine a remarkable score of 96, highlighting its "excellent tension, freshness and complexity." He noted its "mineral, macadamia, pine nuts, white sesame and white fruit" flavors, suggesting it possesses a bright, linear character with a long and appetizing finish. Suckling describes it as "more taut and gastronomic now," indicating potential for both immediate enjoyment and further aging.
Wine Spectator's review, which scored the wine a commendable 93, describes a "broad, expansive feel to the palate," with layered flavors including "patisserie apple, pear, tangerine peel and almond biscotti." The review emphasizes the wine's "well-honed acidity" and "minerally salt and petrol notes," resulting in a harmonious and textured experience, suitable for consumption now through 2033.
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate offers a score of 94, praising the wine's structure and aging potential. The 2018 Capellania is produced from Viura grapes sourced from a vineyard planted in 1945, the highest in the estate at 485 meters altitude. It underwent fermentation in concrete for the first time and matured in second-use French oak barrels for 22 months. The review notes the wine's "subtle and elegant" nature, with a balance of fruit and oak, and a soft, clean texture.
Overall, the 2018 Marques de Murrieta Capellania Blanco is celebrated for its complexity and aging potential, with each reviewer emphasizing its unique blend of flavors and structure.