To qualify as a Gran Reserva, a wine must remain in oak for two or more years, and then in bottle for three or more. (In comparison, Reservas age one year or more in oak, followed by two or more in bottle.)

Marqués de Murrieta’s Gran Reserva is made in select vintages with hand-harvested fruit sourced from their Ygay Estate, 320 to 485 metres above sea level.  Fruit is de-stemmed, then fermented in cool stainless steel. Juice is pressed off in a vertical press, a gentle process that extracts colour and ripe tannins. The wine ages for just over two years in American oak, followed by three years in bottle prior to release.

“This is historical Rioja in the glass with dark-berry, Spanish-cedar, bark, mahogany and light earth aromas that follow through to a full body with firm, fine tannins that are layered and intense. It really is multilayered, with a citrus and cedar aftertaste. Wonderful length and composure. Try after 2023, but already fantastic.”
98 points, James Suckling, September 2021

“Marqués de Murrieta spoils the Rioja lover for choice, with Gran Reserva Especial as well as this fine Gran Reserva, and a very delicious reserva. Why select a Gran Reserva when the Reserva is so good? Because this is a wine made with great precision by winemaker María Vargas, who is also a master blender. Her attention to detail brings out a wonderfully complex expression of the succulent dark fruit, layered with very fine American oak.” 95 points, Sarah Jane Evans, Decanter, December 2022

“Deep ruby. Smoke- and spice-accented cherry and dark berries on the expressive nose. Juicy bitter cherry, mulberry, spicecake and violet pastille flavors exhibit fine definition and a supportive core of zesty acidity. A long, incisive finish features gently chewy tannins and lingering floral and blue fruit notes.”
92 points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media, March 2021