Muga Rioja

Profile & Story

Bodegas Muga was founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga and Aurora Cano in Haro's historic Barrio de la Estacion and remains family-run, notably keeping its own on-site cooperage to build its aging barrels. The 2019 Reserva blends roughly 70% Tempranillo with Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano from a dry, low-yield vintage that concentrated the fruit; the wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak vats and aged about 22 months, 80% in French oak and the rest in Central European and American oak, then fined with fresh egg whites before bottling. It shows a bright ruby-garnet color with blueberry and spice on the nose, a long, structured palate of cherry, plum and graphite, and drinks well from 2025 through 2035; Wine Advocate scored the vintage 94 points.

Pairing Recommendation

A strong match for richer, slow-braised dishes like barbacoa or mole negro, where its structure and dark-fruit depth complement roasted, spiced meats.