Telmo Rodríguez, Las Beatas 2019, D.O. Rioja, red wine, 0.75l

Telmo Rodríguez is a Spanish winery founded in 1994. Around the world it has a reputation as a pioneer championing Spanish winemaking, a travelling oenologist and a "driving winemaker". He earned this reputation mainly by travelling to individual regions to make wines from a single harvest, using only the region's original varieties. He also devotes special care to reviving forgotten vineyards. The Telmo Rodríguez brand reflects an immense love of wine and fine winemaking craft.

The wine Telmo Rodríguez Las Beatas 2019 is an exceptional red wine from a meticulously tended vineyard covering approximately 1.9 ha in Rioja Alavesa (Labastida), where soils formed mainly of continental conglomerates, sandstone and outcrops of marl give the wine remarkable mineral depth and a distinctive terroir signature.
This vintage reflects the dry and warm conditions of 2019, which led to grapes with high concentration and intense aroma, while retaining the elegance and finesse typical of Las Beatas. The Las Beatas project is considered a "grand cru" in Rioja and represents a long-standing effort to restore ancient vineyards, where old and younger plantings of traditional indigenous varieties meet.

Grape varieties: A traditional field blend consisting mainly of Tempranillo, complemented by Graciano, Garnacha and white Garnacha. This mix creates a complex fruity and structural profile for the wine, where intense dark fruit intertwines with mineral notes, gentle spiciness and silky tannins, giving the wine depth and sophisticated elegance.

Awards:
99 points - Robert Parker
100 points - James Suckling

Production: The grapes were hand-picked at optimal ripeness, fermented using native yeasts in open oak tanks of 3,000 l, and then aged for 14–16 months in large French oak foudres (1,200 l). This process allows the wine to develop a complex structure and harmony, without being overwhelmed by a dominant oak character.
Production was very limited, making every bottle of Las Beatas 2019 a collector's item.

Aromatic profile and taste: The 2019 vintage offers a rich aromatics of dark fruit, juicy cherries and blackberries, complemented by floral and mineral notes with gentle balsamic and spicy nuances. The wine is medium to full-bodied, with silky tannins, lively acidity and a long harmonious finish, showing its concentration and ageing potential.
The 2019 Las Beatas is full of energy, deep and expressive, yet still elegant and delicately layered.

Food pairing: Goes well with bolder dishes, such as grilled or roasted red meat, lamb, game or stews, as well as mature cheeses and gently spiced dishes with herbs. The recommended serving temperature is 16–18 °C, ideally after decanting, so that the aroma and complex taste can fully open up.

Alcohol content: 14%
Origin: Spain, D.O.Ca. Rioja