Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2012 750ml
Metro Manila — 1–2 business days
Luzon— 3–5 business days
Visayas— 4–7 business days
Mindanao— 4–7 business days
Vintage: 2012
Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja, Spain – La Plana single vineyard, Ygay Estate, Rioja Alta
Grapes: 81% Tempranillo, 19% Mazuelo
Alcohol: 14%
Ageing: Tempranillo 34 months in 225-litre American oak; Mazuelo 34 months in 225-litre French oak; then 20 months in concrete tank before bottling (May 2019)
Tasting Notes
A full and complex nose with black cherry and ripe plum aromas, cloaking hints of tea leaves, cedar wood and Mediterranean herbs on a background of dried flowers. Well framed and deep in the mouth, with polished tannins and full of nuances; harmonious and long-lived.
Critic Scores (2012 vintage)
- 100 pts – James Suckling
- 100 pts – Guía Peñín
- 99 pts – Guía Proensa
- 98 pts – Tim Atkin
- 98 pts – Club Oenologique
- 98 pts – Guía Gourmets
- 97 pts – Robert Parker
- 97 pts – Decanter
- 97 pts – Falstaff
- 95 pts – Wine Spectator
About This Wine
Castillo Ygay is only ever made from La Plana, a 40-hectare vineyard planted in 1950 at 485 metres – the highest point of the 300-hectare Ygay Estate surrounding the winery in Rioja Alta. Hand-harvested into small crates: Tempranillo from 17 to 19 September, Mazuelo on 25 September 2012. Each variety ferments separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel for 10–12 days. 103,216 bottles (750ml) produced.
Pairs with: Poached turbot in pil-pil sauce, roast pigeon, beef sirloin with black pepper and wild mushrooms, roast suckling pig.
Serving: Decant for 20 minutes and serve at 14–16°C.