Rioja

Bodegas Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva 1998

This is a much loved wine for traditional Spanish wine drinkers.  Its traditional, but bold and smooth with plenty of secondary characters.  I'm lucky enough to have a few vintages in the cellar, mostly of dubious provenance from a passive cellar, but there have been a few great bottles.  The 98 vintage wasn't one of the best of the 90s in Rioja, but the chaps at Muga have managed to pull of something worth drinking and cellaring.

A nice medium red colour with good intensity. The nose is very much old Rioja, tobacco, earth, caramel, mulberry and cherry with notes of menthol/pine needles, vanilla and dried flowers. Nicely medium bodied with good balance and refined tannins. Complex, but refreshing. The palate kicks off with mulberry, plum and cherry and adds some soft spice and vanilla.  Good length with a pin prick of acid on the finish.   The perfect introduction to quality Rioja Gran Reserva.  92+ Pts.

Source: Toro/Woods Wines Price: $90 Closure: Conventional Cork

Web: www.bodegasmuga.com