The 2019 Muga Torre Muga is a proprietary blend red wine from Rioja, Spain, produced by Muga. It is predominantly composed of 80% Tempranillo, complemented by Mazuelo and Graciano, and is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. With a notable alcohol content of 14.5%, this wine has garnered significant attention from wine critics, receiving high praise across the board.
Jeb Dunnuck awarded the wine an impressive 98 points, describing it as a "more powerful, ripe expression of Rioja that never loses its sense of place." He noted its deep ruby/purple color and highlighted a bouquet featuring "cassis, graphite, tobacco leaf, chocolate, and crushed stone." Dunnuck emphasized its "medium to full-bodied richness" and "multi-dimensional texture," suggesting it has great aging potential: "Hide bottles for 7-8 years if you can, and it will cruise for 20-30 years."
James Suckling also rated the wine highly, giving it 97 points. He praised its "intense nose of black fruit, ink, roasted espresso, black truffle, and dried rosemary," and noted its "so much power and concentration" with "firm but very velvety and integrated tannins." Suckling recommended cellaring the wine until 2027 to fully appreciate its depth and complexity.
Wine Spectator offered a slightly more conservative score of 93 points but still commended the wine's harmonious nature, describing it as "lively and expressive, with good tension from the creamy tannins." The review highlighted flavors such as "fig cake, crushed boysenberry, espresso, sweet tobacco, minerally iron, and stone," and suggested it is drinkable now through 2030.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded the wine 95+ points, noting its "classical blend" and detailed the meticulous production process, including fermentation in small oak vats and aging in new French oak barrels. The review mentioned the wine's "modern profile" with "French oak undertones," praising its "stuffing, freshness, and balance."
Wine & Spirits also rated the wine at 93 points, highlighting its "power and dark elegance" and suitability for pairing with rich dishes like braised oxtail. The wine was described as having "the fruitiness of chocolate" and "juicy blackberries," with a "deep ripeness and smoky earthiness."
Finally, Wine Enthusiast awarded the wine 97 points, noting its "deep violet-red" appearance and complex nose of "black cherry, black currant, vanilla, and dried Mediterranean herbs." The review praised its "deep-set tannins" and flavors of "blackberry preserve, butterscotch, anisette, and violet," with a "splash of pomegranate" on the finish.
In summary, the 2019 Muga Torre Muga is a highly acclaimed red wine with a robust profile and significant aging potential, making it a noteworthy addition to any wine collection.