Telmo Rodriguez - Matallana, Ribera del Duero

Matallana, Ribera del Duero

Part of the Ribera del Duero vineyards for Telmo Rodriguez’ wines are in the area of Parilla. These estate vineyards are a combination of old vines and new plantings, on north facing slopes (moderating heat stress), at an altitude of 3,000 feet. The red soils have strong mineral, chalk and quartz components, are farmed biodynamically, and are plowed only by two horses. Telmo considers this vineyard as having the best vineyard site in the region. 
 
Another important estate vineyard used in making the Ribera del Dueros is called Fuente Molinos, made up of 10 acres of contiguous vineyards painstakingly pieced together from land purchases from 34 owners. Formerly the bottom of a river, Fuente Molinos is characterized by stone deposits on the surface, with increasing chalk intensity deeper into the soils.  
 
Matallana is the top wine Telmo makes in Ribera del Duero, with fewer than 300 cases made a year.

  • 2005 Vintage

    Matallana is the result of the same philosophy Telmo Rodriguez has taken with other vineyards: wait to understand the fruit, the soils and the site, and then start to make great wines. Telmo obtained exceptional plots for Matallana, situated on different types of soils, with old, fruit-intense vines. Today there are 8 plots in total. As with Altos de Lanzaga, Telmo's top Rioja, maceration occurs by foot in the stone vats and aggressive pump-overs are avoided. His aim is to express the grapes through a slow and soft extraction, and fermentation in open wooden vats. Ageing in 2005 was in 100% new French Oak for 15-18 months, with each cask studied individually for its characteristics. As he does with all barriques, Telmo drys them himself for three years. Elegance, refinement, length and persistence define this wine.

    • “The 2005 Matallana was sourced from a biodynamically farmed vineyard with crushing done by foot. It was aged for 20 months in 50% new French oak. Purple in color, it has a brooding nose of pain grille, graphite, espresso, incense and a potpourri of black fruits, Youthful on the palate, it has plenty of ripe tannin that will require 5-7 years of cellaring. However, the wine has all the right stuff, and it is only a matter of time before my score will appear conservative.” 94+ Points Wine Advocate

    • “Glass-staining purple. Sexy red and dark berry preserve aromas are complicated by suave incense and floral qualities, picking up smoky minerals with air. Pliant black raspberry and blackcurrant flavors stain the palate and are braced by juicy acidity, which adds lift and focus. Tannins are neatly woven into the fruit. Finishes clean and with excellent length, with the floral notes repeating.” 93 Points International Wine Cellar

    • "This is Telmo Rodríguez's most ambitious Ribera del Duero. It's a selection from eight plots of old vines, a blend marked by complex aromas of minerals, black cherry and ripe raspberry notes. Profound and dense, juicy and rich, this finishes with nerve, firm acidity and some lovely green pepper tones. A wine to cellar for a decade or more." 93 Points Wine & Spirits Magazine

    • "With Matallana, you must pay for your pleasure. But pleasurable it is. The nose is a splendid blend of licorice, baking spices, cassis and black plum. The approach is neither quiet nor loud, but well-spoken. It pumps forth huge black cherry and plum fruit, but offsets any raw size with tobacco, herb, coffee and other subtleties. A touch hard now but should soften with a couple of years aging." 93 Points Wine Enthusiast