The latest edition of a favorite from one of Spain's most talented winemakers has arrived, and it's a perfect partner for flavorful fare from the grill! We're excited to offer Telmo Rodriguez's 2019 Matallana, his small production red from the Ribero del Duero region. The vines in this sunny, dry region in the heart of northern Spain lie on high plateaus anchored by the Duero River. Appropriate for its dramatic climate, the local Tempranillo they call Tinto Fino is a heartier version of Rioja's grapes, with thicker skins and a lot of color intensity. The interplay of place and grape makes for bold, well-structured reds, capable of a distinctive intensity, while retaining a textural eleganceand balancing, mineral freshness that other regions can struggle to find.
Telmo's style focuses on a purity of the fruit's character and a textural quality that Luis Gutierrez of Wine Advocate describes as "elegant rusticity." After some breathing time in the glass, the 2019 Matallana exudes aromas of pure boysenberry and plum skin, along with stony earth and dusted cocoa and cedar. On the palate, an enticing saline minerality greets you, quickly followed by those intense flavors from the skins and a touch of juiciness. A coating of very fine, chalky-textured tannins fleshes out the middle of the wine, then grounds it on the dry, softly chewy finish. Just give it time to open in your glass and it'll shine with hearty dishes, like a well-seasoned mixed grill of mushrooms, red & yellow bell peppers and well-seasoned meats, along with moderately-aged cheeses like Manchego.
The drive for Telmo Rodriguez to make Matallana is to create his version of regional traditions. That begins with old, organically farmed vineyards that he helped reclaim 25 years ago, planted with traditional mix of local varieties that are planted like bushes. It extends to the cellar, where the winemaking is not overbearing, protecting the quality that nature - and hard work in the vineyard - has provided. His modern reflection on the old ways results in a wine that's delicious and evocative.
WINE ADVOCATE 96+ POINTS - "The 2019 Matallana is a blend of 85% Tinto Fino with some 15% other varieties such as Valenciano (Bobal), Navarro (Garnacha) and even white Albillo. 2019 was a very classical vintage with power, concentration and plenty of tannin, and the wine should develop and benefit from extended time in bottle. The wine feels very young and primary, with integrated spices from the élevage in oak, a medium to full-bodied palate, powerful and concentrated but very balanced. As I said in previous years, it's a Ribera like the ones from yesteryear! 18,676 produced with the selected grapes from 21 hectares of vineyards. It was bottled in July 2021. Drink: 2024-2034."
Telmo's style focuses on a purity of the fruit's character and a textural quality that Luis Gutierrez of Wine Advocate describes as "elegant rusticity." After some breathing time in the glass, the 2019 Matallana exudes aromas of pure boysenberry and plum skin, along with stony earth and dusted cocoa and cedar. On the palate, an enticing saline minerality greets you, quickly followed by those intense flavors from the skins and a touch of juiciness. A coating of very fine, chalky-textured tannins fleshes out the middle of the wine, then grounds it on the dry, softly chewy finish. Just give it time to open in your glass and it'll shine with hearty dishes, like a well-seasoned mixed grill of mushrooms, red & yellow bell peppers and well-seasoned meats, along with moderately-aged cheeses like Manchego.
The drive for Telmo Rodriguez to make Matallana is to create his version of regional traditions. That begins with old, organically farmed vineyards that he helped reclaim 25 years ago, planted with traditional mix of local varieties that are planted like bushes. It extends to the cellar, where the winemaking is not overbearing, protecting the quality that nature - and hard work in the vineyard - has provided. His modern reflection on the old ways results in a wine that's delicious and evocative.
WINE ADVOCATE 96+ POINTS - "The 2019 Matallana is a blend of 85% Tinto Fino with some 15% other varieties such as Valenciano (Bobal), Navarro (Garnacha) and even white Albillo. 2019 was a very classical vintage with power, concentration and plenty of tannin, and the wine should develop and benefit from extended time in bottle. The wine feels very young and primary, with integrated spices from the élevage in oak, a medium to full-bodied palate, powerful and concentrated but very balanced. As I said in previous years, it's a Ribera like the ones from yesteryear! 18,676 produced with the selected grapes from 21 hectares of vineyards. It was bottled in July 2021. Drink: 2024-2034."
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