2021 Telmo Rodriguez El Transistor

Telmo Rodriguez is not only a gifted winemaker, but also a real jack-of-all-trades. He makes good to excellent wines in various regions within Spain: Valdeorras, Rioja, Alicante, Cigales, Ribera del Duero and Toro. But he also makes two wines from the Verdejo grape in Rueda: a basic cuvée called 'Basa' and a top cuvée named after the (loudly playing) radio in the vineyards, intended to scare away wild boars. Telmo is busy with the transformation to making biodynamic wines and the purity of this 'El Transistor' can clearly be tasted. The very old vineyard that Telmo uses for its 'El Transistor' is planted with the original 'bush vine' Verdejo. To optimize the extraction of the fruit aromas, Telmo applies a short-term 'maceración pelicular' before fermenting the grapes in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. After fermentation, part of the juice is aged in oak. This top cuvée is very complex, harmonious and has an excellent texture. The dosed use of wood is beautifully woven into the wine and gives soft vanilla tones. Full flavors, somewhat creamy, but with a fresh aftertaste. Viva El Transistor!