WTN: Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva 2004

Bad, crumbly cork, rescued by a Durand. Extremely deep, dark, and purple for its age. Looks like the latest vintage rather than 18 years old. Nose is very attractive and complex. Ripe black berries, sweet spices, pepper, mint, hint of vanilla oak. Lots of sediment.

Medium-bodied. Bright, savoury acidity. Tannins are still strong. Pretty tight even after an hour in the glass. Raspberry/cherry mostly. Two hours later, the fruit seems a bit sweeter and some grilled meat comes out as well. Good length, but not especially long. Needs a very long decant, or a few more years in the bottle. I think it has a lot more to give but is in a dumb phase or extremely ungenerous at the moment.

[David M. Bueker]

Interesting that the aromatics would be so interesting, with the palate so tight.

I had to check CellarTracker, as I thought I had a bottle of this downstairs. Turns out it's the 2006.

Still (slowly) working at a case of the 2005. I like these wines with some age on them and they don't seem to be 'there' quite yet.

I like these wines with some age on them and they don't seem to be 'there' quite yet.

Reassuring that your experience seems similar. Kept it in the glass nearly 3 hours but it wouldn't budge. I wonder if it's just that this bottle is a freak, as recent notes on Cellartracker are generally glowing for this vintage.

I only had half the bottle when I opened it last Tuesday. The other half was put into a 375 ml bottle and opened last night. What a difference! Sweet black berries and plums, grilled meat, tobacco, and leather. Powerful and dense. Still tannic, but much more attractive. Excellent.

I have half a case of Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva from the 2015 vintage. Sounds like I'm in for a bit of a wait. Thanks for the notes on the 2004.

-Paul W.