Hemming praises Muga 2009 Selección Especial from jeroboam
Source: jancisrobinson.com
TL;DR
- Richard Hemming MW reviews Muga Selección Especial Reserva 2009 Rioja from jeroboam.
- Tasting note highlights chocolate, black cherry, dry tannin, fine balance.
- Earlier note gives 16/20 for sweet, aromatic, chocolaty nose and smooth tannins.
The story at a glance
Richard Hemming MW tasted Muga Selección Especial Reserva 2009 Rioja on 17 Nov 2015, noting flavours of chocolate and black cherry with dry tannin and fine balance from a jeroboam. This review appears on JancisRobinson.com as part of coverage on Muga wines from Rioja. An earlier tasting by the same reviewer scored it 16/20.
Key moments & milestones
- 2009: Vintage produced by Muga in Rioja, aged 34 months in mostly new French oak barrels plus 12 months in bottle.
- 26 Nov 2013: Richard Hemming MW scores 16/20, describing sweet, aromatic, chocolaty nose, very smooth tannins.
- 17 Nov 2015: Richard Hemming MW tastes from jeroboam, notes chocolate, black cherry, dry tannin, fine balance.
Signature highlights
- Tasted from jeroboam, showing chocolate and black cherry aromas with dry tannin and fine balance.
- 16/20 score: Sweet, aromatic, chocolaty nose; very smooth tannins; sculpted and quite modern for Muga.[[1]](https://www.thewinesociety.com/product/muga-seleccion-especial-reserva-rioja-2009-6d98a653)[[2]](https://www.jancisrobinson.com/tastings/72667)
- 2009 vintage praised for density like 2004 and elegance of 2005; Jorge Muga particularly proud.
- Primarily Tempranillo-based from older vines in Rioja Alta.
- Extended ageing creates denser, more concentrated style than standard reserva, suited for long-term cellaring.
Key quotes
- "Sweet, aromatic, chocolaty nose. Very smooth tannins. Sculpted - quite modern, actually, for this marque. Not the most wowing of examples, but does a great job of typicality." – Richard Hemming, JancisRobinson.com.
Why it matters
Rioja's traditional producers like Muga balance heritage with modern techniques in standout vintages like 2009. Readers seeking ageworthy Spanish reds get a reliable 16/20 benchmark for this concentrated reserva. Watch Muga's newer releases like Prado Enea Gran Reserva for similar quality.