About this WINE
Telmo Rodriguez
Telmo Rodriguez is one of the great Spanish winemakers. He travelled and learnt for many years before returning home to Rioja. In addition, he supervises négociant projects throughout Spain. One of his most acclaimed projects is in Ribera del Duero.
The charismatic Telmo has something of the prodigal about him, having now returned to his Riojan homestead to energise the great house of Remelluri. One should not overlook, however, his other properties, which explore some of the lesser-known areas of Spain and in each case seek to make superlative and characterful wines. Ribera del Duero is far from a lesser-known area, so it is to Telmo’s great credit, but to no-one’s surprise, that the wines he makes at Matallana are amongst the very best here too.
Alicante
Located in eastern Spain between the plateau and the Mediterranean Sea, the Alicante DO covers 14,600 hectares across two sub-regions: the hot and humid coastal La Marina, which is mainly a source for sweet wines, and the more continental Subzona Classico further inland, which specialises in Joven and dessert wines.
Like many of its neighbours in this part of Spain, the last two decades has seen Alicante move away from being a source of cheap, bulk wine to producing modern-style, competitively-priced red and white wines. However, it still produces its beloved, traditional sweet and fortified specialities, the most famous of which is known locally as Fondillón.The grape of distinction here is Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre) supplemented by Tempranillo, Garnacha, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. For the whites, the little-known Merseguera holds sway.
The renovation and improved infrastructure of the wineries and vineyards in Alicante have helped rehabilitate Monastrell's reputation; it now yields fleshy, concentrated, complex wines with intense violet and redcurrant notes. Bodegas El Seque (from Artadi) is one of the great wine ambassadors for the region. The winery sources its grapes from a much-treasured plot of 100-year-old Monastrell vines, to which it adds more modern Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
Recommended Producers: Artadi El Seque.
Other Varieties
There are over 200 different grape varieties used in modern wine making (from a total of over 1000). Most lesser known blends and varieties are traditional to specific parts of the world.
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Description
Sand in Alicante extends beyond the beaches and together with clay provides the foundation for these old Monastrell vines. Those who like Mourvèdre will warm to its Iberian sibling, with similar blue fruit aromatics, firmness in the mouth and potential to surprise and fascinate in equal measure. Mourvèdre (and by extension Monastrell) needs great helpings of both sun and water; 2013 provided the ideal conditions for such requirements.
Simon Field MW - Wine Buyer At the hands of talented winemaker Telmo Rodriguez, comes this pretty & well balanced Monastrell packed with plump cherry & hedgerow fruits which linger on the finish.
Chris Lamb, London Shop
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