At the end of the 1980s, a team of young dreamers in their 20s took the helm of Rioja's most storied estate. Today, 40 years later, they are still working together and, year after year, produce the wine region's most successful wines on the 300-hectare monopole vineyard called Marqués de Murrieta.

2021 brought one of the best years in Murrieta's modern era. During our visit in May, they presented this wine with sparkling eyes and greater excitement than any other. The bush-vine planted vineyards are located at the southernmost point of Rioja Alta, and are planted with 86% Tempranillo, complemented by local varieties such as Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha. We are four years past the harvest, and the wine spent 26 months taking shape in the estate's cathedral-like barrel-ageing cellar. It is fresh, vibrant, dense and dynamic. It plays on many instruments. We've been eagerly awaiting this one.