The 2016 Telmo Rodriguez Matallana is a red Tempranillo wine from the Ribera Del Duero region in Spain. Produced by Telmo Rodriguez, this vintage offers a robust and full-bodied experience, with an alcohol content of 14.5%. It is sealed with a cork closure, maintaining traditional winemaking methods.
James Suckling, a well-known wine critic, awarded this wine a 93-point score in his review dated November 2, 2020. Suckling described the wine as having an "attractive blackberry, black plum and dark chocolate character." He noted that it is "full-bodied and chewy with slightly austere tannins and a long, flavorful finish." Suckling suggested that the wine would benefit from another year or two of bottle age to soften its tannins, recommending it be enjoyed after 2021.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate provided a more detailed analysis, with a high score of 96 points awarded on August 19, 2021. The review highlighted the wine as part of an evolving project in Ribera del Duero, emphasizing its traditional blend of Tempranillo with approximately 15% other grapes—Valenciano (Bobal), Navarro (Garnacha), and white Albillo. The grapes are sourced from five different villages: Sotillo de la Ribera, Roa, Fuentecén, Fuentemolinos, and Pardilla. The wine fermented in both oak and stainless steel vats with indigenous yeasts and matured for 14 months in French oak barrels of different ages.
The Advocate's review praised the 2016 vintage for its "elegant rusticity and subtle aromas," noting its freshness and the presence of some tertiary notes. The wine features "integrated oak and a medium to full-bodied palate with fine-grained tannins," making it identifiable as a Ribera del Duero. The review also mentioned the wine's limited production, with 22,665 bottles produced and bottled in May and June 2018. Additionally, it was noted that there will be no 2017 vintage of this wine due to production issues.
In summary, the 2016 Telmo Rodriguez Matallana is a well-regarded Tempranillo with excellent reviews, particularly from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, which praised its traditional character and fine-grained tannins. James Suckling also commended its rich fruit and long finish, suggesting it will improve with further aging.