Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Crianza-style blend of Tempranillo (65%) and Garnacha (35%). Bright ruby color with a dark core. Aromas of plush red and black fruit, earth, tobacco and rose petals. Flavors of cooked red and black cherries, blackberries, currants, black licorice and sweet baking spices. Long earthy finish and medium-plus bodied. Grippy (yet dusty) tannins and a soft texture. Very light touch of oak. Bright, plush and fruit forward. Better the second day. Solid value. — 17 days ago

Chris Buggy

9.1

Vanilla! But once it calms down, good round tannins, good body, super smooth at this point, perfect for the obligatory Father’s Day steaks — 3 months ago

with Jennifer

K L

9.3

Kurt rec. this was great. Would get again. Even though it’s a heftier price for Kurt it’s worth it compared to others we’d pay more for. — 8 months ago

with Matt

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Cena mikel alonso y jonathn gomez — 2 years ago

David Walser

9.1

A Cabo Costco find. Nice value priced wine. Would buy again. — 3 years ago

Devin Bray

9.2

Lovely, bright and fruity at the price. — 5 years ago

Sherry

9.0

Bought this bottle in Spain 2016. I think Madrid! Didn’t drink it until December 2019. Very smooth!! — 7 years ago

Zach D

9.3

Cherry, lilacs, potpourri, sweet oak, moderate alcohol. Really enjoyable vintage. — 6 days ago

Michael Murray

9.0

La Zeiran Madrid — a month ago

Angie Forbes

9.3

Cork & Jug $21 Matt really liked it — 4 months ago

Tree Kilpatrick

9.0

Dark color. Not explosive in the nose. Hint savory. Some herb/spice. Flavors are old. Books, attics, and leather. Bit strange. Almost has roasted beets and roasted meats. Extra complex. — 9 months ago

Mike W

9.4

Very nice rioja — 3 years ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.0

Earthy Rioja. Fresh and bright. — 4 years ago

Michael Sotiriou

9.0

Medium bodied, peppery, medium tannins. — 5 years ago

Kirk F

8.9

Very nice, perfumed nose and a delicate, seductive palate. All in balance. — 7 years ago

Jon Petrulsky

9.2

Muy bien! — 9 days ago

with Anna

Joel Lara

9.4

Upon opening, this seemed a bit disjointed, with muted fruit flavors and strong herbal notes. Decanting didn’t seem to help much, but day 2 it finally opened up nicely, with nice complexity and intensity on the palate. Cherry, raspberry, cassis, bay leaf, dried Italian herbs, anise, cloves, vanilla, cedar, earth, and balsamic notes all come through. Really tasty, but maybe a bit too intense. I can see this improving with a few more years of aging so the flavors coalesce and soften a bit more. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Bodegas Muga – Aro 2019
Rioja DOCa – Spain 🇪🇸

Overview
A prestige cuvée from Bodegas Muga, Aro represents one of the most refined modern expressions of Rioja. Crafted in small quantities from Tempranillo with a touch of Graciano, the 2019 vintage balances juicy fruit with structure, elegance, and longevity. (Educational note: Muga ferments with indigenous yeasts in oak vats and ages Aro in French oak, blending traditional Rioja methods with modern precision.)

Aromas & Flavors
Juicy red berries (raspberry, strawberry, and red plum) lead the way, framed by subtle blackberry and cassis. Layers of vanilla, cocoa, and spice from oak intertwine with floral and mineral notes.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins. Decanted for 2 hours, it opened beautifully — long, elegant, and persistent, with a finish that shows both fruit purity and savory depth.

Food Pairings
Pairs well with roasted lamb, Iberian pork, or grilled steak. Also excellent with manchego cheese or mushroom-based dishes.

Verdict
A superb Rioja — juicy, refined, and complex. The 2019 Aro is a treat that shows both immediate charm and long-term potential. A true collector’s Rioja with class and depth. 🍷

Did You Know?
The name “Aro” is a nod to the hoops (aros) that bind the staves of Rioja’s traditional oak barrels, symbolizing craftsmanship and unity.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Produced in limited quantities, Aro is one of Rioja’s most sought-after wines — a modern icon that rivals Spain’s greatest reds. — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

A blend of 80% Tempranillo with 15% Garnacha, rest Graciano and Mazuelo, aged 5 years in American oak, deep Ruby with aromas of red fruits, spice and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of strawberry and black cherry with spice, tobacco and cedar notes. Fine rustic tannins, long finish, savory ending with tobacco and earthy character. Nice! — 4 years ago

Rich Mueller

9.4

What do you think? — 6 years ago