2021 BODEGAS MUGA 'EL ANDEN DE LA ESTACION' CRIANZA, RIOJA DOCA,

(91 points) The red 2021 El Andén de la Estación follows the 2019, as they didn't produce a 2020. It's a red with a very commercial profile: approachable, juicy, fruit driven and with very integrated oak. It's a blend of Tempranillo and 30% Garnacha, with 15% alcohol (the effect of Garnacha). It is showy, ripe, a bit heady and hedonistic, but it keeps the balance with good freshness. The wine has quite a lot of Garnacha character—grapey, chewy, velvety and easy to drink. They do not use any new barrels. The wine is aged for some 14 months, and the oak is very integrated and folded into the wine. The bottle has the Crianza back label. This will be ideal for the by-the-glass market. They produced close to 200,000 bottles. It was bottled in June 2023. -Robert Parker.