100% Tempranillo

"Leathery nose with some earthy, dusty berries, sous-bois and mint. Still plenty of fruit, with savory plums and cherries. Medium to full body on the palate with dusty tannins and a fluid, elegant finish. A warmer vintage, but still fresh and composed. Long and juicy." -James Suckling

When choosing to buy a Rioja wine, the four classifications of each Rioja will be clearly labeled on the bottle. For Gran Reserva, this wine is made only during exceptional harvest. A Gran Reserva must be aged a minimum of 5 years, with at least two years in oak.

In 1926, Bodegas Murua was founded by José Murua in Rioja Alavesa, one of the three sub-regions of Rioja. Determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, Julián Murua Entrena began his own wine journey specializing in the art of blending, eventually establishing Bodegas Muriel in 1982. Bodegas Muriel excels at producing elegant and complex Reserva-designated Riojas. The name “Muriel” is a blending that comes from the owners’ last name, Murua, the region of Rioja and the town of Elciego. Julián and his son Javier now run the winery with a mission to meld the long-held winemaking traditions of the region with the new technologies of today.

Bodegas Muriel has the great fortune of residing in the town of Elciego, known for some of the best terroir in the region producing spectacular, complex wines. The vineyards are comprised of clay-chalk soils whose roots reach deep into the earth. The vines are also planted on terraced vineyards, which allow drainage and the prevention of erosion. The climate is a blend of Mediterranean with continental and maritime influences, creating ideal ripening conditions. The vines produce aromatic and elegant wines that are age-worthy.