In 1998, they used less Garnacha and no Graciano for the 1998 Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial, which was composed of 85% Tempranillo, 13% Mazuelo and 2% Garnacha that matured in American oak barrels for 41 months. It has 13% alcohol, with 5.97 grams of acidity and 0.9 grams of volatile acidity, which contrasts with the idea that it was a cooler year with well-defined acidity. It has a pH of 3.42. This is soft and pretty, evolved, with notes of Asian spices, cedar wood and a medium-bodied palate with some austerity. It was bottled in November 2002.

Plump, but with good structure, this traditional red shows cherry, plum, spice and tobacco flavors that are beginning to mature, yet remain fresh on the finish. Pretty spice notes linger. Drink now through 2010.??–TM??Region: Spain / Rioja Select to Add