2021 Telmo Rodriguez Matallana

Winery

Compañía de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez is one of the most influential wine companies in Spain. Telmo Rodríguez and his business partner Pablo Eguzkiza are known for their search for historic vineyards, forgotten terroirs, and authentic Spanish grape varieties. Instead of representing a single wine region, they work throughout Spain with the aim of capturing the identity of each region as purely as possible. Matallana is one of their flagship wines and demonstrates that Ribera del Duero has much more to offer than just powerful, oak-dominated wines. You can find more information about this winery in the Winery tab.

Origin and terroir

Matallana originates from five different villages in Ribera del Duero. The grapes grow on diverse soils of limestone, clay, sand, and gravel, giving the final blend great complexity. The vineyards are situated at considerable altitude, where warm days alternate with cool nights. These large temperature variations ensure slow ripening, allowing the grapes to retain their freshness while simultaneously developing a high aromatic concentration. The combination of different terroirs results in a wine with great depth and a distinct character of its own.

Grapes and vineyard management

The grapes come from carefully selected vineyards spread across five villages in Ribera del Duero. After an extremely rigorous selection, only enough remained from approximately 80,000 kilograms of harvested fruit for about 22,450 bottles. The vineyards are managed with great respect for nature, and the focus is entirely on healthy grapes and an optimal balance between ripeness and freshness. This meticulous selection forms an important basis for the exceptional quality of Matallana.

Vinification and aging

After manual harvesting, the grapes ferment with exclusively natural yeasts in a combination of stainless steel tanks and wooden vats. Subsequently, the wine ages for fourteen months in French oak barrels of various sizes. By using different barrel sizes, the influence of the wood remains subtle, and the fruit is given ample room to develop. During aging, sur lie maturation contributes extra texture, complexity, and refinement. The result is a wine in which power and elegance blend seamlessly.

Color, smell and taste

The wine has a deep ruby red color. On the nose, aromas of blackcurrants, black cherries, and ripe forest fruits dominate, followed by violets, white pepper, graphite, nutmeg, grilled spices, and a hint of cocoa. On the palate, the wine shows great concentration without becoming heavy. Ripe dark fruit is supported by chalky tannins, fresh acidity, and a striking mineral undertone. The structure is powerful yet refined, and the long finish continues to impress with notes of spices, herbs, and dark fruit.

Style and character

Matallana is one of the most elegant interpretations of Ribera del Duero. While many wines from the region emphasize power and new oak, Telmo Rodríguez opts for finesse, freshness, and terroir expression. The 2021 combines impressive concentration with striking precision and balance. The result is a wine that already displays great charm, yet possesses sufficient structure to continue developing for years to come.

Volume

The 2021 vintage is considered one of the best of recent years in Ribera del Duero. A cold winter with heavy snowfall was followed by a relatively mild summer, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly. This resulted in an exceptional balance between ripe fruit, fresh acidity, and refined tannins. The alcohol content is 14.4%. The drinking window runs from 2025 to 2036, during which the wine will gain even further complexity in the coming years.

Food and wine pairings

This Ribera del Duero pairs excellently with grilled beef, rack of lamb, Iberian pork, and game dishes. Slow-cooked stews, mushroom dishes, and aged hard cheeses also complement the wine's deep fruit concentration and refined spiciness beautifully. Moreover, thanks to its fresh structure, it remains elegant at the table.

Wine & Food and Discount

If available, you will find the official factsheet and additional information about this fine wine in the 'Attachments' tab. We will automatically send these to you upon ordering this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you come to collect the wine, you will often receive a nice discount. You will see your discount immediately when you select 'Pick up' on the checkout page. We are located in Dordrecht, situated almost next to the A16 with ample parking. Click here for our address.

You can read full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others. Need advice on finding the ideal wine for your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grandcruwijnen customers. In the Food tab, you will find advice on what to look for for the right food and wine pairing, and a number of dish suggestions from our Sommelier.