Marques de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 1959

Parker: 1959 was another stellar vintage in Rioja, and they bottled a 1959 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva, the first with "Gran Reserva" mentioned on the label. This was produced with 68% Tempranillo, 14% each Mazuelo and Garnacha and 4% Graciano, a vintage with more Garnacha than all the vintages except the older ones. It spent six months in tank, 46 months in fairly new barrels and 254 months in neutral American oak barrels whose insides were encrusted with tartrates and behaved like a more neutral (almost like a glass-lined) container. This has 13% alcohol and 7.4 grams of acidity, 0.8 grams of volatility and a pH of 3.03. Another very good year on record with 506 liters of rain, more than the average. This was released in 1991. There is a plus of finesse in this vintage, ripe and powerful but with some notes of cherries in liqueur that reminded me of the 1934. This is still fresh and lively with a long life ahead of it. It's aromatic, complex and nuanced, with spices, smoke, cigar ash and a touch of volatility that gives it freshness. This has a little more meat, a little more elegance and roundness. It develops notes of mushroom and forest floor, and it's very lively. Amazing. Drink Date: 2022 - 2045 100/100