La Quinta Cruz Mazuelo 2018 | Miguel Merino | Rioja

Name: La Quinta Cruz Mazuelo 2018 | Miguel Merino | Rioja
Brand: Miguel Merino
SKU: 228
Price: 45.5 EUR
Availability: InStock

45.50 €

45.50 €

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Miguel Merino, Briones (Rioja Alta). La Quinta Cruz is the plot at the fifth cross on the path up Monte Calvario in Briones, which gives it its name: poor alluvial soils with plenty of gravel. 100% Mazuelo (Carignan).

The 2018 vintage went through malolactic fermentation and aged for 14 months in four 500-litre casks and five 225-litre barriques. 12.5% abv. 3,200 bottles were filled in March 2020.

Wine Identification
La Quinta Cruz Mazuelo is a red wine produced by Miguel Merino from the 2018 vintage. It carries the Rioja appellation and originates from Spain. The specific vineyard plot, named La Quinta Cruz, is located in Briones within Rioja Alta. The name derives from the vineyard’s position at the fifth cross of the path ascending to Mount Calvario in Briones.

Origin and Winemaking
The wine is crafted exclusively from 100% Mazuelo grapes. The terroir consists of poor alluvial soils characterized by a high concentration of gravel. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation, followed by an aging period of 14 months. During this maturation phase, the wine was rested in four 500-liter casks and five 225-liter barriques. The oak influence is described as neatly folded into the wine. Production was limited to 3,200 bottles, which were bottled in March 2020. The alcohol content stands at 12.5% vol.

Tasting Profile
Visually, the wine presents a bright ruby color. On the nose, it exhibits a classical, clean, and balanced character that initially appears somewhat closed but takes time to open up. Once evolved, the nose reveals noticeable perfumed fruit. The palate is marked by lightness and an ethereal quality, distinguishing it from previous vintages like the 2017. Despite its lower alcohol level, the wine displays full flavors developed through a slow ripening process. Transparency, purity, and symmetry are defining characteristics of this vintage.

Critical Reception
The Wine Advocate (Parker) awarded the 2018 vintage a score of 94 points. The critic noted that the wine follows the style of the 2017 but is lighter and more ethereal. The review highlighted the clean nose, the integration of oak, and the development of full flavors despite the modest alcohol content.

Overall Character
La Quinta Cruz Mazuelo 2018 is a refined expression of Mazuelo from Rioja Alta. It balances structural elegance with fruit purity, offering a transparent and symmetrical profile that emphasizes finesse over power.

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La Quinta Cruz Mazuelo 2018 | Miguel Merino | Rioja

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PARKER: 94

I also tasted the 2018 Mazuelo de la Quinta Cruz, which follows the style of the 2017 with a bright ruby color and a classical, clean and balanced nose that denotes youth. The nose was a bit closed and took time to take off, but the perfumed fruit was noticeable in the palate straight away. It's only 12.5% alcohol, a little lighter and certainly more ethereal than the 2017, but it seems to have developed full flavors through a slow ripening process. This 2018 went through malolactic and 14 months aging in four 500-liter casks and five 225-liter barriques, and the oak is neatly folded into the wine. Transparent is a word that comes to mind. Purity and symmetry. 3,200 bottles were filled in March 2020.

Learn more about Miguel Merino

Miguel Merino spent many years exporting Spanish wine around the world before making it himself. In 1994 he fulfilled the wish of having a small bodega in Briones, in the Rioja Alta, and later handed the winemaking to his son, also Miguel.

There are thirteen hectares spread across many plots with different terroirs and microclimates, from which they pick an average of 55,000 kilos of fruit a year. The house is tiny on purpose.

La Quinta Cruz is 100% Mazuelo from the plot at the fifth cross on the path up Monte Calvario in Briones, which gives it its name, on poor alluvial soils with plenty of gravel. The 2018 vintage aged for 14 months in 500-litre casks and 225-litre barriques, and 3,200 bottles were made.

See all wines by Miguel Merino →