Prado Enea is Muga’s finest and most age-worthy expression, a Gran Reserva produced only in exceptional vintages from the estate’s oldest Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo and Graciano vines in the Rioja Alta appellation, aged for a minimum of three years in oak followed by extended bottle ageing before release. The 2016 Prado Enea received exceptional critical recognition across all major approved publications: Wine Advocate awarded 97+ points, James Suckling 97 points, Vinous 96 points and Wine Enthusiast 97 points, placing this firmly among the finest Prado Enea vintages released in recent years and confirming 2016 as one of Rioja’s benchmark modern vintages. In the 1.5-litre magnum format, a wine of Prado Enea’s structural ambition and documented ageing potential will develop far more slowly and completely than the equivalent standard bottle, making this a genuinely outstanding cellar acquisition for those who have the space and patience to hold it for a further decade and beyond.

The 2016 Rioja vintage was defined by a warm, dry summer with cool nights that allowed the Tempranillo to ripen slowly and completely without the over-ripeness that warmer years can produce, and a harvest of excellent balance between concentration and freshness. Muga’s decision to produce Prado Enea in this vintage reflects the estate’s judgment that the combination of the vintage’s classical character with the oldest vine material from the estate’s finest parcels justified the Gran Reserva designation with all the ageing requirements it entails. The resulting wine is described by James Suckling as “reserved and polished” with “great class and focus” and by Wine Advocate as one of the most compelling Prado Eneas in the estate’s recent history.

Prado Enea in the magnum format from the 2016 vintage is among the finest ageing prospects in this catalogue for the Rioja collector. The wine requires patience but promises extraordinary complexity over a period of fifteen to twenty years, and Muga’s track record of producing Prado Enea that develops beautifully over decades in the finest vintages gives this acquisition the strongest possible historical validation.

Deep ruby with a restrained and polished nose of ripe plum, cherry, cedar, tobacco, dried herb, mineral and the distinctive warm spice character of aged Rioja Alta Tempranillo from Muga’s finest old vine parcels. Full-bodied with very fine, well-integrated tannins, excellent natural acidity and a long, focused, classical Rioja finish. Best from 2028 through 2055.

Reserved and polished, this is a Prado Enea with great class and focus. It’s so aromatic, with plum, peach, cherry and cedar character. Medium to full-bodied with very fine tannins and a long, fresh finish. — James Suckling