SteveN wrote:
> Dear All,
>
> Castillo Ygay was one of my favourite Riojas, but I have tasted only the
> one vintage (1991? in about 2001). I notice they have released the 1978,
> bottled in 1998, which is available from my local merchant for £45 (USD70 -
> USD80)
>
> Basically, is it worth it?

Marquis de Murrieta Castillo Ygay has been considered among the very
top Riojas made in a very traditional style. I have not had experience
with recent vintages, but their older ones where hard to top, if you
like a very traditional Rioja that needs long aging. I have had their
1925, and it still was holding very well a very few years ago. They
also made an old style white that often was aged nearly as long as
their better known red. It can be outstanding, but may come as a shock
to those who have tasted only more modern styles of whites.

Worth is a value judgment that you will have to make. Compared to the
prices charged for Vega Sicilia, to say nothing of top Bordeaux or
Burgundy, the price does not seem very extreme. I have not seen a
review yet for Ygay 78, so a Google search might be in order to see if
you can find anything. Some of the more traditional Spanish winemakers
have started to make more "modern" wines, but the long time before
release for the Ygay 78 likely indicates that it was made in fairly
much the old style designed to require long aging.