Muga 2021

His name already resonates as one of the eminent sommeliers of Spain. Almost nothing escapes the discerning nose and palate of Alberto Ruffoni, which is why it is wise to heed this young man -half Italian and half Galician- when he asserts that Muga is one of the finest wines with which one can never go wrong. With this offering, where tempranillo, garnacha, mazuelo, and graciano are blended, this legendary winery manages to reveal one of the lesser-known facets of DOCaRioja, specifically from Haro (in Rioja Alta), where the highest concentration of century-old wineries is found. Here, the subject of wine is more akin to a religion than a business. Muga is cultivated in clay-limestone soils and thrives under an Atlantic climate with mild temperatures and moderate rainfall, producing clusters that mature perfectly before being brought into the winery, where they will ferment in oak vats using indigenous yeasts. This detail is one of the reasons why this wine is so worthwhile,