Marqués de Murrieta Dalmau Reserva
Rioja, Spain
Vintage:2019 (Current)
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Reviews
Vinous Media 95 Points
In 1997, the inaugural release of Dalmau marked a significant moment in Rioja. It symbolized a move toward intensifying the region's wines in a fruit-forward, New World style. The 2019 Dalmau continues to tread this path, showcasing a blend of 86% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Graciano. It hails from the esteemed Pago Canajas within the Ygay Estate, planted back in 1950 in Rioja Alta. Aged for 20 months in French oak barrels followed by an additional six months in concrete vats, this purple-hued wine unfolds with aromas of bay leaf and herbs, intertwined with subtle chutney-like undertones. Layers of black fruit, cassis and delicate hints of mocha and cacao contribute to its complexity. Dry, rich and tightly structured, the wine's reactive tannins and well-balanced palate leave a lasting impression with a substantial mouthfeel. The 2019 Dalmau is a Rioja that elegantly embraces a calibrated nod to the New World style.
View From the Cellar 95 Points
“The single vineyard bottling of Rioja “Dalmau” from Marqués de Murrieta is produced from sixty-plus year-old vines, with the wine aged in new French oak barrels for twenty-three months prior to bottling. The wine is made from a cépages of eighty percent Tempranillo and ten percent each of Graciano and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is given an additional year of bottle aging in the cellars prior to release. The wine offers up a deep and nicely new oaky bouquet of black cherries, plums, Cuban cigars, a beautiful base of soil, fresh nutmeg, brown spices and nutty new oak. On the palate deep, full-bodied and very pure, with a beautiful core of fruit, fine focus and grip, ripe, seamless tannins and a long, nascently complex and impeccably balanced finish. This is Marqués de Murrieta’s “modern” style of Rioja, but like everything they make, it is a stunningly beautiful wine! 2033-2085.”
Wine Spectator 93 Points
“Delivers a generous range of black plum reduction, floral, dried fig, mocha and eucalyptus aromas and flavors set in a sleek, well-defined frame that integrates sculpted tannins and orange peel acidity. Maintains a deft balance between richness and restraint. Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Graciano. Drink now through 2030.”
Tim Atkin 97 Points
“There was no Dalmau in 2018, so the 2019 will be released a little earlier than usual. Made with Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 4% Graciano, all of it from the nine-hectare Canajas vineyard, this is structured, inky and wonderfully profound, with some leafy top notes, chalky minerality, dark, brooding liquorice, cassis and blackberry fruit, perfumed French oak and the concentration to reward patience. 2027-2040.”
JamesSuckling.com 97 Points
“Deep and intense, yet mineral, with fresh blackberries, blueberries, black olives, pepper and lemon peel. Hints of graphite, cocoa powder, incense and cedar, too. Flavorful and juicy, medium-to full-bodied palate with a zesty quality to the fruit. Very long and eclectic, with a traditional twist to the modern sensibility. 86% tempranillo with 10% cabernet sauvignon and 4% graciano. Nothing hefty here. Better after 2025, when extra complexity will have emerged.”
Overview
The Cebrián-Sagarriga family, who in 1983 acquired the winery, established in 1852, has a distinct winemaking philosophy that is founded in the pursuit of quality and excellence through tradition and innovation. To speak about Dalmau is to speak about Canajas, a unique single vineyard within the 741-acre Ygay Estate. The vines in that vineyard are more than 60 years old and are located at 465 meters. Long maceration during fermentation, aging in new French oak barrels and very limited production characterize the wine.
This modern Rioja wine made from tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon and graciano perfectly reflects the innovations taking place at Marqués de Murrieta.
Winemaking
Grapes are first carefully destemmed and then each variety ferments separately for 10 days. Tempranillo ferments in stainless steel and cabernet sauvignon and graciano in small oak vats. Pumping over and delestage (rack-and-return) operations are carried out on a daily basis.
The grapes are vinified separately to keep their peculiarities intact. Dalmau 2019 was aged 20 months in 225-liter new French oak barrels from Allier, and then 6 months in concrete vats before bottling.
Tasting Notes
A bold fruit-forward palate, with fresh acidity and silky tannins gives the wine structure, wideness and depth. With a perfect balance between elegance and power, Dalmau expresses the awesome personality of the vineyard it comes from.
Harvest Notes
Manually selected harvest done in small crates so that grapes reach the winery as soon as possible and in perfect conditions. The graciano was hand-picked on September 28th, the cabernet sauvignon on September 29th, and the tempranillo on September 30th.
Food Pairing
Deboned ox tail with red wine, mint and clove flavoring, crunchy fried breadcrumbs; veal shank, potato croquette and red piquillo pepper; dark chocolate truffles. Decanting the wine for 20 minutes is recommended. Best enjoyed between 60º-64ºF.
Technical Information
Varietals: 86% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Graciano
Wine Alcohol: 14.5%
Bottling Date: December 14, 2021
Aging: 23 months in 225-liter French Allier oak barrels