Marques de Murrieta Dalmau Tinto Reserva 2011

Professional Ratings

• 94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
  Same as they didn't do Dalmau in 2008 they didn't bottle it in the 2010 vintage, and the next one will be the 2011 Dalmau Reserva, which will be released in March-April 2015. Dalmau is the most "international" of all their wines, but is a wine from Ygay because the Cabernet they have in their vineyards is now 56 years old and is part of the estate and you also feel more the smoky notes and the earthy, peat-like minerality. The maximum amount of Cabernet Sauvignon (or other experimental varieties, generically referred to as "Others," any varieties that were planted before 1956) is 15% and it also contains 6% Graciano, the rest being, of course Tempranillo. The varieties are fermented and aged in barrel separately, then assembled and matured in cement vats for a good 8-9 months. This 2011 is considered internally a perfect vintage for Ygay and has a very Atlantic, Bordeaux-like nose that is serious and concentrated. This is a cuvée that used to be quite oaky, but this has changed radically and the earthy personality is much stronger, and the oak is perfectly integrated, and even if it's extremely young is perfectly drinkable and showing classical aromas of cigar box, cedar wood and lead pencil. The texture is creamy and even if the tannins are velvety and the acidity is fine, just the complexity you will gain with a couple of years in bottle would payback a little patience. It's a matter of personal preference and the style in this wine is quite strong, but this is objectively a great vintage for Dalmau.
• 93 Wine Spectator
  Powerful yet balanced, this red shows density with freshness. The black cherry and currant flavors are ripe, while floral, mineral and toasty notes keep this lively.
• 92 James Suckling
  A solid and chewy red with lots of chocolate, dried fruit and pine nut aromas and flavors. Full body. Lots of oak on the finish. Muscular and fruit-forward wine. A blend of tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon and graciano. Single vineyard.
• 91 Wine Enthusiast
  This appealing Rioja hits with prune and raisin aromas. On the palate, bulky, grabby tannins are rugged and provide structure to an otherwise very ripe wine. Flavors of coconut, mocha, plum and black currant give this a Mounds bar character.