Matallana, Telmo Rodríguez 2018 Wine Review

Matallana, Telmo Rodríguez 2018

 

Dark nectarine skin, black plum, and cherry notes with a touch of mixed berries.  

A gentle cool herbal freshness reminiscent of rosemary follows.  

Swirling actually reduces the aromatic intensity — this wine is not particularly expressive on the nose.  

However, the palate is far more impressive than the aroma.

 

Matallana, Telmo Rodríguez 2018 by LEON, Seoul Wine Dispatch

Acidity: ●●●○○  
Sweetness: ○○○○○  
Body: ●●●○○  
Tannin: ●●●◐○  

The first sip shows pleasant acidity with dense, fine tannins.  

 

Tannins coat the mouth softly yet firmly.  

 

Clove lingers on the finish, along with hints of cedar and fresh tobacco.  

 

After about 40 minutes, red apple skin aromas emerge.  

When paired with spicy or salty food, the bitterness of rose stems, clove, and licorice becomes dominant.  

Despite its structure, this wine is better suited for lightly seasoned dishes that highlight texture — such as salt-roasted chicken, duck, grilled vegetables, or a classic jambon beurre.  

 

---

 

Matallana, Telmo Rodríguez 2018

Region⎮ Spain > Castilla y León > Ribera del Duero  
Producer⎮ Telmo Rodríguez  
Variety⎮ 85% Tinto Fino (Tempranillo), 15% other local varieties (Navarro, Valenciano, Albillo, etc.)  
ABV⎮ 14.5%

 

Matallana, Telmo Rodríguez 2018 by LEON, Seoul Wine Dispatch

 

** Due to DO Ribera del Duero regulations, vineyard origins and exact blend ratios cannot be listed on the label.  

 

Telmo Rodríguez, known for his dedication to native varieties and traditional vinification, attempted to disclose these details, but the regulatory board rejected the labeling. As a result, the information was obscured by a black bar on the final release — a symbolic statement on how wine laws can conceal authenticity.