2023 Muga, Rosado, Rioja, Spain.
The tasty and quaffable Muga Rosé (Rosado) 2023 from this famous Rioja producer is made from a blend of Garnacha (Grenache Noir) and Viura, an indigenous white varietal, is beautifully pale pink in the glass with a fresh, mineral toned and dry palate with sour cherry, ruby grapefruit, red apple skin, a mix of spice, wet stone, tangy herbs and delicate rosewater notes. Crisp and steely to start with bright acidity the Muga Rosado adds some textural pleasing elements making this wine a joyous Summer offering and even with an extra year of age it is showing extremely well and is a great value.
Muga says that the vineyards, used to make their Rioja Rosé are located in two distinct zones and their geology has a direct influence on the expression of the varieties grown in them. The first, they add, vines in the Valle del Oja, are characterized by its calcareous clay soils, typical of cool zones, which provides the wine with good structure, balance and acidity. The second zone, the Valle del Najerilla, has ferrous clay soils which give the wine a more mineral character and complexity. All of which are on display in this vintage’s version. Tank raised and aged, the Muga Rosé continues to be must have wine that goes great with or without food and is lovely as an aperitif, an afternoon sipper or beach wine.
($16 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive