Muga Reserva Selección Especial 2014 (75cl, 14%)

A red Rioja from Bodegas Muga in Haro, made with 70% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 10% Graciano and 5% Mazuelo. It is fermented with indigenous yeasts in wooden vats and aged for 22 months in casks of 80% French oak, with the remaining 20% from Central European and American oak. The wine is fined with fresh egg whites before bottling. Bodegas Muga maintains its own cooperage on site. The nose opens with raspberry and blackberry, then vanilla, licorice, charcoal, dark chocolate, espresso and lead pencil shavings. The palate is dense and fruit-forward, with blackberry and currant, toasty oak, licorice, bright acidity and firm tannins. The finish is long, with dark berry compote, vanilla, baking spice and a savory, subtly smoky impression.