Castillo Ygay 2011
Our flagship, a benchmark in the DO Rioja with an unquestionable recognition worldwide. It represents the consistency of a project started in 1852 and masterfully maintained. Part of its greatness resides on the fact that it is only made in selected vintages. Castillo Ygay has developed a great complexity over the years without losing its exceptional freshness and demonstrating its superb quality and marked elegance.
CASTILLO YGAY
2011
Castillo Ygay is always made from the best grapes sourced from La Plana, a 40-hectare (98-acre) vineyard, planted in 1950 and located at 485 meters above sea level, in the highest area of Ygay State, our 300-hectare estate in Rioja Alta.
A manually selected harvest is done in small crates to keep the perfect conditions of the grapes. Tempranillo was harvested on September 17th and 2nd, and mazuelo on September 28th, 2011
Grapes are de-stemmed after going through a selection table. The grape varieties ferment separately in stainless steel tanks, with controlled temperature. The alcoholic fermentation lasts 10-12 days approx. making regularly pumping over and punching down and delestage operations to favor the contact of the must with the skins and extract slowly the aromas and the phenolic compounds. After fermentation, the solid parts of the grapes are pressed in vertical presses, through a gentle and slow process that favors the extraction of color and ripe tannins that reside in the skin. After blending, the wine remains 13 months in a concrete tank until bottling.
The tempranillo is aged for 28 months in 225-litre American oak barrels and the mazuelo is aged for 28 months in 225-litre French oak barrels.
Steamed grouper fish, grilled squid and fine black sauce with its allied croquette. Candied and ember-roasted Bresse pigeon, Cameros truffle and red wine. Long cooked Wagyu tail in red wine, smoked eel and foie mille-feuille. Truffled Moliterno sheep’s milk cheese.
Grape varieties: 84% tempranillo and 16% mazuelo.
Alcohol level: 14% abv.
Bottling date: Feb of 2016.
Number of bottles: 131,668 (0.75 l.), 2,060 (1.5 l.), 206 (3 l.) and 15 (18 l).
Serving suggestions: Recommended service temperature: 16⁰C (60⁰F). Let the wine breathe for 30 minutes to show its full aromatic potential.
Scores
CASTILLO YGAY
2011
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SOBREMESA (ESP): 99 puntos.
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JAMES SUCKLING (UK): 98 points.
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PROENSA (SPAIN): 98 points.
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LA VANGUARDIA (ESP): 98 points.
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ROBERT PARKER (USA): 97 points.
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DECANTER (UK): 97 points.
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WINE ENTHUSIAST (USA): 97 points.
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TIM ATKIN (UK): 97 Points.
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VINOUS MEDIA: 95 points.
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WINE SPECTATOR: 94 Points.
Tasting note
An endless and complex range of aromas define this Castillo Ygay 2011 that evokes fragrances of ripe cherry, blueberry and cassis with refined hints of garrigue, Mediterranean herbs, black pepper, clove and mocha. Balance defines this wine vintage after vintage; lively on the palate yet enveloping and harmonious. With silky tannins and a long, elegant finish. “After an unforgettable 2010 vintage, Castillo Ygay once again shows the amazing potential of La Plana single vineyard” María Vargas - Technical Director of Marqués de Murrieta.