The British magazine Decanter has selected 26 Rioja red wines that they recommend for their outstanding quality and great value, following the Decanter Tasting Suite held in London last February, where a total of 105 wines were tasted. Murua Reserva 2015, produced by Murua Wineries, part of the Masaveu Wineries wine group, was included among the 26 standout red wines. Specifically, the flagship wine of this Rioja winery received 95 points, the highest score awarded in the tasting.
Pedro Ballesteros describes it as a “warm wine” that has matured beautifully over its eight years. He also notes its luscious candied red fruit, complemented by layers of oak, spices, and black pepper.
For Pierre Mansour, the nose of this Murua Reserva is “charming and evocative, with mocha notes,” while on the palate it shows “round, smooth tannins with a fine texture and great harmony.”
According to Sarah Jane Evans, this Rioja red Reserva “has the classic deep garnet color. On the nose, it is delicate and complex, with dry notes of tea leaves.” She describes it as “delicious and balanced,” “light yet rich,” with a very long finish, concluding that it is “a masterpiece.”
100% of its vineyard certified organic
After a strong commitment initiated in 2015 to convert its vineyards to organic farming, Murua now has, as of 2023, 100% of its vineyard certified organic. This shift toward organic cultivation, in line with the sustainable philosophy that defines the entire winery group, has enabled the preservation and improvement of soil quality through the use of non-chemical plant protection products, the promotion of biodiversity, optimal water management, air quality preservation, improved energy efficiency, and both mitigation of and adaptation to the effects of climate change.
Specifically, the actions carried out in the winery’s vineyards aim to adapt vine cultivation to the natural ecosystem without the constant transformation of the environment by human activity. To achieve this, the winery focuses on regenerating the soil, restoring its vitality, and increasing its capacity to capture atmospheric carbon, thereby reducing the concentration of this gas in the atmosphere one of the main causes of global warming. Among its measures, Murua Winery promotes the use of plant cover to enhance CO₂ absorption capacity, thus reducing soil erosion and degradation, lowering soil temperature, and improving water retention.
About the Rioja winery Murua
Murua Wineries S.A., part of Masaveu Wineries, is located in the beautiful town of Elciego, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. In a setting of stunning landscapes, the noble main building preserves the structure of the manor houses typical of this area of Rioja Alavesa.
The winery has belonged to the Masaveu family since 1974, when it was acquired to produce wine privately until, years later, the family decided to renovate it and promote it commercially with a strong commitment to quality.
Currently, Murua produces 250,000 bottles made following the ecological philosophy and respect for the land that define the winery group, which is present in several of Spain’s Designations of Origin: Murua (DOCa Rioja), Fillaboa (DO Rías Baixas), Pagos de Araiz (DO Navarra), Leda (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León), and the ice cider Valverán (Asturias).
About Masaveu Wineries
The Masaveu family began investing in the wine sector in the 1970s when they acquired Murua Winery. However, the family’s vineyard plantations date back to the mid-19th century, specifically in Castellar del Vallès, where the family originated and where Federico Masaveu Rivell took the first steps that his descendants would continue a century later.
Since then, Masaveu Wineries has grown to become a benchmark for the quality of its wines across different Designations of Origin (DOs) and for its environmental philosophy and deep respect for the land. The group owns its own vineyard plantations, allowing it to convey in every bottle the unique personality of each terroir. In this way, all of Masaveu Wineries projects across different regions share a common thread: Fillaboa (DO Rías Baixas), Leda (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León), Murua (DOCa Rioja), Pagos de Araiz (DO Navarra), and Valverán (Asturias).
