2021 Telmo Rodriguez Yjar

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Description

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EN PRIMEUR DISCOUNT VALID UNTIL 1/11/2025 AND WHILE STOCKS LAST - EXPECTED DECEMBER 2025. PRICES FOR EN PRIMEUR ARE EXTRA DORDRECHT. AS A FREE SERVICE, THE WINES CAN BE CONDITIONED AND SAFELY STORED BY US SO THAT THEY CAN BE PICKED UP ON OCCASION OR SHIPPED AT COST BY ARRANGEMENT.

the history of Yjar and Telmo Rodríguez

Yjar is one of the most prestigious projects of Telmo Rodríguez, a winemaker internationally renowned for his dedication to rediscovering authentic Spanish terroirs. The estate is located in Labastida, Rioja Alavesa, on historic lands renowned for their viticulture since the Middle Ages. In the 15th century, the area was managed by the "Divisa de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Toloño," a brotherhood that promoted viticulture in this part of Rioja for centuries. After periods of decline, the estate was revived in the 20th century, and today Yjar represents a modern expression of this age-old heritage.

the vineyard and the terroir

Yjar's vineyards are located at the foot of the Sierra de Toloño, at an altitude of 600 to 800 meters. The soils are deep, calcareous, and stony, rich in colluvial deposits from the mountains. These conditions ensure perfect drainage and an ideal nutrient balance for the vines. The 3.8-hectare vineyard is planted with old, bush-grown vines of Tempranillo, Graciano, and Garnacha, along with small quantities of local varietals like Rojal and Granegro. This creates a unique biodiversity that enhances the wine's complexity and depth.

the grapes and the 2021 harvest

The 2021 vintage is considered one of the most elegant years of Rioja Alavesa in recent decades. The growing season enjoyed moderate temperatures and ample rainfall, resulting in grapes with freshness, ripeness, and aromatic tension. The grapes were hand-harvested in small crates to optimally preserve the fruit's quality. The blend consists primarily of Tempranillo, supplemented with Graciano, Garnacha, and traditional local grape varieties.

vinification and maturation

Fermentation took place in small oak barrels using indigenous yeasts. This was followed by 30 months of maturation in a combination of foudres and barriques of varying sizes. This approach gives the wine strength and structure, along with subtlety and precision. The result is a wine that displays a unique balance of ripe fruit, finesse, and minerality. Only 10,500 bottles were bottled in May 2024, making Yjar an exclusive and limited edition cuvée.

color, smell and taste

Yjar 2021 has a deep ruby red color. On the nose, it opens with aromas of dark berries, violets, spices, and a hint of tobacco. Subtle notes of forest floor and undergrowth also add complexity. On the palate, the wine is seamless and layered, with silky, perfectly integrated tannins and a linear freshness typical of the vintage. The finish is long, refined, and exceptionally stylish. Both James Suckling and The Wine Advocate emphasized its exceptional elegance and harmony, with Suckling awarding it 100 points.

reviews and storage potential

The 2021 Yjar has been hailed by critics as the finest vintage yet. James Suckling awarded it 100 points, praising its exceptional definition, freshness, and polished tannins. The Wine Advocate awarded it 98 points, highlighting its balance, finesse, and complexity. Its aging potential is between 2025 and 2037, with the wine expected to deepen and develop further in the coming years. This vintage is an absolute must-have for enthusiasts and collectors.

Would you like to order Telmo Rodríguez wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.

Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.

wine and food pairings

  • Grilled rack of lamb with rosemary – the spiciness of the meat and its juiciness complement the aromatic complexity of the wine beautifully.
  • Venison steak with blueberry jus – the deep fruit notes and refined tannins harmonize with the earthy, sweet-fruity sauce.
  • Truffle and Parmesan Risotto – the creamy texture of the dish finds a perfect balance with the fresh and elegant texture of the wine.
  • Pigeon with mushrooms and red wine sauce – the layered flavors enhance the intensity and length of the finish.
  • Grilled aubergine with thyme and olive oil – the earthy and spicy notes complement the subtle undertones of forest and tobacco.
  • Matured Manchego or aged Comté – the nutty, intense flavours extend and deepen the elegant finish.

Specifications

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Available as of Dec 10, 2025
Packing information Case
Type of Wine Red
Country Spain
Region Rioja
Appellation Rioja Alavesa
Icons Icon Spain & Portugal
Winery Telmo Rodriguez
Grape Garnacha, Graciano, Tempranillo
Biological certified No
Natural wine No
Vegan No
Vintage 2021
Drinking as of 2026
Drinking till 2038
Alcohol % 14
Alcohol free/low No
Content 0.75 ltr
Oak aging Yes
Sparkling No
Dessert wine No
Closure Cork
Promotion En Primeur
Parker rating 98
James Suckling rating 100
Vinous rating 96
Tasting Profiles Aards, Complex, Droog, Houtgerijpt, Krachtig, Kruidig, Rood fruit, Tannines, Vol
Drink moments Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Open haard, Romantisch

Professional Reviews

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Parker

98

James Suckling

100

Vinous

96

Wijnhuis

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Winemaker Telmo Rodriguez is labeled as one of the young lions of the Spanish wine industry. He studied at the University of Bordeaux and later in the Rhône with the famous August Clape. He was the winemaker of La Granja Senora De Remelluri, his father's bodega in Rioja. He left there to become what some would call a flying winemaker. However, Telmo prefers to call itself a 'driving winemaker'. he lives in Madrid and drives his car to the areas where he makes wine. In a short time his wines have found a place on the international playing field. One example: in Tom Stevenson's Wine Report 2008, Telmo is included among the top 10 producers from Spain. We once again spoke extensively with Telmo Rodriguez. That is always a pleasure. If you sit down with him you always learn something or he gives food for thought. What makes this 'conscience of the Spanish wine world' so special? When Telmo completed his studies in Bordeaux and then had internships with people like Chave (Hermitage), Clape (Cornas) and Dürrbach (Trévallon) he came back to Spain. There he saw other Spaniards who had studied in France bringing French grape varieties and customs to Spain. For example, there was more and more wire guidance, while the Spanish system had always been free-standing sticks. Telmo concluded that he wanted to focus on the old qualities of Spain such as freestanding sticks, indigenous grape varieties and field blends. In addition, he was the first in Spain to introduce modern labels and he opposes the rigid Spanish wine laws.

Free standing sticks
Spain used to be a country of bush vines: the sticks were so far apart per area and per vineyard that they could each get enough water. If you place your sticks far apart with wire articulation, the stick will grow far and become much too large. With wire articulation, you therefore need many more sticks per hectare. However, the problem is that there is not enough water for this and you therefore have to irrigate, in areas that often already suffer from a shortage of water. In addition, the grapes hang more in the shade with free-standing sticks, which gives less chance of 'burning' and leads to less stewed fruit and fresher acids. The only downside to free-standing canes is that more manual work is involved in vineyard management and harvesting. Telmo works almost exclusively with bush vines.

Native grape varieties
It was clear to Telmo that there are so many good indigenous varieties in Spain that importing 'the big five' (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet and Syrah) from France was not necessary at all. He was one of the first to produce good Rueda from Verdejo and Viura, he embraced Mencia and Godello in Valdeorras, Monastrell in Alicante, Moscatel in Malaga, Garnacha in Cebreros…. In the mid-1990s he was still considered crazy with this philosophy, but now everyone is following him.

Field blends
There used to be many vineyards in Spain with various grape varieties mixed together, also called 'field blends'. It is often argued against field blends that the varieties (that are picked together) are not all ripe at the same time. It speaks for the fact that diversity and disease resistance increase and that it promotes complexity. Telmo now has two vineyards with field blends in production. In Rioja he makes it Las Beatas (named after the vineyard, first vintage awarded with 97 points by Parker) and in Valdeorras Las Caborcas. Beautiful, original wines!

Spanish wine laws
Telmo was the first to remove the word Reserva from a Rioja in 1995. In his words: 'I ask my wines how long they want to stay in the wood'. One year grapes can easily handle a 12-month aging in wood, but not in another year. There was consternation about Las Beatas: the Consecho initially did not want to approve the wine made with a field blend as Rioja… while there was a time when all Rioja was made that way! Consecho did not push this to the extreme and ultimately fortunate for them, given the enormously high international appreciation.

Attachments

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