2017 MARQUÉS DE MURRIETA FINCA YGAY RESERVA RIOJA SPAIN "Incredible depth and intensity on the nose with chocolate, walnut, blackberry and wet-earth aromas. Some iodine, too. All this follows through to a full body with very silky tannins that give the wine depth and length. It’s really framed beautifully. Reserved and tight at the finish. A terrific wine for the cellar. Give this three to five years to open.” (Reviewed October 2021) 96 Points "A great classic, with a unique Rioja character, bursting with chewy red fruits, counterpointed by minerality. Reconciling power and finesse, pleasure and style. Warm and intense. Benchmark for wines of style, high-end brands. Leaves a vibrant memory." 94 Points "The red 2017 Rioja Reserva is their flagship wine... a blend of 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 6% Mazuelo (Cariñena) and 2% Garnacha and has the character of the vintage, ripe and warm but without excess... The wine has concentration and clout, and I always consider it an ultimate example of an updated classical Reserva from Rioja. 2017 was the earliest harvest (started and finished in September), a warm and dry year when the Ygay estate miraculously escaped the terrible frost that decimated most of Europe. The challenge for this wine was to contain the ripeness and power, and they have done it. This will be released in spring 2021, so it should be a lot more integrated by then. This is always a sure value...." 93 Points "Lightly baked and leathery berry aromas are subtle. This wine is racy and clipping on the palate, with popping acidity. Spiced plum and cherry flavors are backed by oaky vanilla prior to a persistent finish with classic Rioja notes of oak, tomato and bright acidity. Drink now–2030." 92 Points, #91 Top 100 Wines of 2021 “Deep, glistening ruby-red. Cherry, red currant, pipe tobacco and floral and vanilla accents on the expressive nose. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering bitter cherry, red berry, spice cake and candied rose flavors and a sweetening mocha flourish. Finishes very long and gently chewy, with a repeating cherry note and fine-grained tannins adding gentle grip. This is quite a successful wine given the challenges of the vintage.” 92 Points