Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva is one of the iconic wines of Rioja, always among the very best Gran Reserva releases in any given year. The fruit is sourced from Muga’s top vineyards in the cooler zones of northwest Rioja Alta, ranging between 550 and 600m in elevation – south-facing slopes with calcareous clay soils. As such, Prado Enea is characterised by excellent acidity, and a firm yet fine tannin structure. Majority Tempranillo, with Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano in the blend, the fruit for Prado Enea is the last of the Muga’s to be harvested every year. Fermentation is in oak vats with indigenous yeasts and a 14–16-day maceration is followed by a minimum of 36 months’ ageing in French and American oak casks (only circa 10% new), then 3-4 years in bottle prior to release.
Prado Enea is an absolute classic; it exudes finesse and elegance and has huge ageing potential; and yet it’s still – somehow – a bargain in the fine wine world.