You know, we just love Spanish wines! And we have a Wine of the Week recommendation which will show you why. It's Bodegas Muga Reserva 2005.

The wine is from the Rioja region and mostly Tempranillo but they blend in some Garnacha and Mazuelo which add to its depth of flavor and complexity.

There’s liveliness to this wine. You can almost hear the Spanish guitar and the staccato flamenco dance sounds!

So what’s it taste like? It tastes like it looks - ruby red, a combination of black cherry and red whip licorices.

And this is Muga Reserva. It’s been aged and mellowed both in the barrel and in the bottle Which gives it a rounded fullness and smooth texture, along with a very pleasant balance of bright and rich.

Pair it with meat dishes like grilled lamb, a favorite of the Rioja, or even homemade Paella with chorizo, chicken and clams.

The Muga Reserva costs about twenty four dollars.

Pop the Cork™.

Date Selected: April 9, 2010

Winemaker's Notes and Comments:
"Bright ruby. Vibrant, seductive perfume of black raspberry, powdered rose, anise and minerals. Weighty but lively cherry and dark berry flavors are brightened by zesty minerals, picking up a candied licorice quality with aeration. The finish repeats the deep dark berry note and leaves exotic flowers and minerals behind. Very elegant wine that suavely blends richness and finesse."
Reviewed by: International Wine Cellar 92pts

Reserva 2006: Grapes 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, 10% Mazuelo and Graciano. Soil Clay/Calcareous and Alluvial.
Elaboration: 6 months in traditional Riojan oak vats, 24 months in small oak barrels and a minimum of 12 months in bottle.
Tasting: Powerful, intense and very lively, anxious to please from the start. Almost perfect mingling of red-berry fruit and toasted oak aromas on the nose, with the fruit coming to the fore in the mouth and rounding off a supple, balanced overall effect.