Bodegas Muga Rioja Crianza 'El Anden de la Estacion'

The Muga El Anden Rioja Crianza is one of the best values to come out of Rioja today. Produced by one of the region's benchmark family estates, this blend of 70% Tempranillo and 30% Garnacha delivers everything we love about traditional Rioja with a fresh, modern energy. To my palate, this vintage comes remarkably close to Muga's much more expensive Reserva, offering silky texture, darker red and black fruit, and an impressive level of complexity that far exceeds what you'd normally expect from a Crianza.

Aromas and flavors of ripe cherry, wild berries, earth, vanilla, Asian spice, and violet lead into a medium-bodied palate with fine-grained tannins and a long, polished finish. Wonderfully balanced and incredibly satisfying, this is a versatile red that pairs beautifully with grilled lamb, roast chicken, steaks, burgers, mushroom dishes, or aged cheeses. If you're looking for an authentic Rioja from one of Spain's finest producers, this is a bottle you'll want to keep on hand.