Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012 is one of Spain's most iconic and collectible wines, produced only in exceptional vintages from the historic La Plana vineyard in Rioja Alta DOCa. Crafted from 81% Tempranillo and 19% Mazuelo, the wine is matured for 34 months in American and French oak before extended ageing, resulting in extraordinary complexity, elegance, and longevity. Aromas of dried roses, red berries, truffle, cedar, tobacco, spice, chocolate, and smoky earth unfold into a full-bodied palate layered with vibrant acidity, silky tannins, and remarkable freshness. Powerful yet beautifully refined, Castillo Ygay 2012 offers exceptional aging potential for decades and is a perfect match for roast lamb, game, premium beef, and mature cheeses. Widely regarded as one of the finest expressions of Rioja, it is a benchmark wine for collectors and lovers of world-class Spanish reds.

James Suckling | JS 100
Published: Apr 7, 2026

This shows a very attractive nose of dried roses, subtle chocolate, dried red fruit, spices and smoke for a fleshy and inviting aromatic profile. On the palate, it is both delineated and fleshy yet remains linear, with fresh acidity bringing vibrancy and drive, supported by elegant fruit. The tannins are remarkable, soft and melting, giving a controlled structure. Vibrant and youthful, it can be enjoyed now, but it has the build to age for decades. A blend of tempranillo and 19% mazuelo, Drink or hold.

The Wine Advocate | RP 97
Published: Feb 28, 2025
Drink: 2024-2045 

I tasted again the 2012 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, as the wine was not produced in 2013, 2014 or 2015 and the 2016 will not be released until 2027. The next vintages will be 2017, 2019 and 2021. The 2012 was produced with a blend of 81% Tempranillo and 19% Mazuelo (Cariñena) from the plot La Plana in the Ygay estate, which was planted in 1950 at 485 meters above sea level, the highest in the Ygay property. The Tempranillo was picked between September 17th and 19th, and the Mazuelo was harvested on September 25th. The bunches were destemmed and lightly crushed and put to ferment in stainless steel for 10 days with constant pump-overs and délestages. The Tempranillo matured for 34 months in American oak barrels, and the Mazuelo also matured for 34 months but in French barriques, then it was blended and put in concrete for a further 20 months. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.65 and 5.8 grams of acidity (measured in tartaric acid per liter). It's spicy, with abundant notes of forest floor, truffles and dry leaves, cigar ash and cedarwood, with a very tasty palate, savory, almost salty. It's evolving at a very slow pace. It should last forever... 103,216 bottles, 3,121 magnums and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in May 2019.

Marqués de Murrieta is evolving in their enotourism with a small hotel that should be ready for their 175th anniversary in 2027. But the main focus is still their vineyards, where they are going to continue investing. The range is constantly evolving; this year, they showed me the last vintage of the Gran Reserva, the 2018, and there will be some new wines next year.

Decanter | D 97
Published: Jun 8, 2024
Drink: 2024-2050

The 2012 bottling of the Ygay Gran Reserva really ups the savoury character, with the Tempranillo buoyed by 19% Mazuelo, delivering bright fruits and fresh acidity. This is a vintage of true elegance. This wine was bottled in 2019, a blend of 81% Tempranillo aged in American oak and 19% Mazuelo (also known as Carignan) aged in French oak, each for 34 months. The Mazuelo brightens the wine and imbues it with such elegance. The Gran Reserva is sourced entirely from La Plana, located at nearly 500m, and its 80-year-old vines are all dedicated to this iconic bottling. Gorgeous fresh and savoury aromas of dried violet and rose petals, smoky clove and eucalyptus. The palate offers freshness around a core of red fruits. Fresh wild mint, ripe strawberries, notes of balsamic and turned earth are lifted up by a streak of graphite that cuts across the finish.
Closure: Cork
Alcohol: 14.00%
Body: Full
Grapes: 19% Mazuelo 81% Tempranillo

Marquesdemurrieta.com

It embodies the attributes that characterize the world's great wines: elegance, exclusivity, and eternity.

Our iconic wine, a benchmark for quality wine in the Rioja DOCa and with undisputed worldwide recognition, represents the enduring legacy of a path begun in 1852 and masterfully maintained today. Part of its greatness lies in the fact that it is only produced in exceptional vintages. Of undeniable quality and elegance, Castillo Ygay has developed great complexity over the years without losing its exceptional freshness. 

Castillo Ygay is made exclusively with the best grapes from La Plana, a 40-hectare plot planted in 1950, with clay-limestone soil located at an altitude of 485 m, in the highest area of Finca Ygay, a 300-hectare estate that surrounds the Marqués de Murrieta winery located in Rioja Alta.