Fresh, plush but restrained with blackberries, cedar, graphite, pine, cocoa powder and incense. The fine wood is closely knit to the deep, vivid black fruit with medium to full body and polished tannins. The lengthy finish is structured and caressing. A blend of tempranillo, garnacha, graciano and mazuelo. Drink or hold. Zekun Shuai Senior Editor

Typically a fall release, the 2021 Muga Seleccion Especial is an exceptional wine from an exceptional vintage, combining 80% Tempranillo with Garnacha, Graciano, and Mazuelo from mostly its own vineyards. Gorgeous red and black berry fruit with citrus undertones carry a plush, generous, and full-bodied palate with an undeniable lightness of being. It spends 26 months in 40% new oak. There’s nuanced baking spice, dried herb, and lavender, supple tannins, and moderate tension, the acidity able to retain freshness throughout. Age 15-20 years.

The 2021 Selección Especial, is always their most gastronomical red, produced with a blend of the four traditional varieties from Rioja—Tempranillo, Garnacha Tinta, Mazuelo and Graciano. The grapes fermented in oak vats with moderate extraction, and the wine matured in French oak barrels built by their coopers for 26 months, with racking every eight to nine months. Like many others, they are in love with the wines from 2021, a year that was not easy but produced vibrant wines with lots of freshness and a combination of power and elegance. This wine has evolved over the years, going more toward a selection of vineyards rather than a selection of barrels, which is how it started. It combines classical and more modern characteristics in a fantastic vintage that is evolving very nicely in bottle; they called it a traditional Rioja with a bit of rock and roll! It comes in at 14.5% alcohol, with a pH of 3.56 and 5.91 grams of acidity and fine-grained tannins. It's very tasty, savory and almost salty. 290,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2024 after being fined with egg whites. - LG

The 2021 Selección Especial, the classic house blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo from Rioja Alta, reflects the finesse of the vintage. Aromas of plum, blackberry and a touch of raspberry are lifted by delicate balsamic hints. On the palate, it is dry and moderately compact, with chalky grip and long, savory flavor. Delicacy, energy and juiciness are kept in balanced interplay by the vintage.

A lovely red, with fine integration of its creamy-edged, muscular tannins, plus a layered range of flavors. Baked black cherry and plum fruit is accented by iron, sweet paprika, dried thyme and bay leaf, mocha, and anise. Long, showing refreshing sapidity on the finish. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo.