Telmo Rodríguez Ribera del Duero Matallana 2016

96 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "The Ribera del Duero project has been changing and a work in progress for a while, and there's only one wine produced, of which this time I tasted the 2016 Matallana. It's a traditional blend of Tempranillo with approximately 15% other grapes—Valenciano (Bobal), Navarro (Garnacha) and white Albillo—from different soils in five different villages, Sotillo de la Ribera, Roa, Fuentecén, Fuentemolinos and Pardilla. It fermented in oak and stainless steel vats with indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak barrels of different ages for 14 months. 2016 was also an abundant crop of wines with freshness. It's a traditional red with elegant rusticity and subtle aromas and is already gaining some tertiary notes. It has integrated oak and a medium to full-bodied palate with fine-grained tannins—fine but still identifiable as Ribera del Duero. Drink: 2021-2030. (Jun 2021)"

93 points Tim Atkin, MW: "(14.5%). Rioja superstar Telmo Rodríguez only makes one wine in Ribera del Duero, combining fruit from 11 different vineyards in various parts of Burgos. (The villages are named and crossed out on the label.) Aged in old wood, this is all about fruit and complexity, with a slight volatile lift, notes of Mediterranean herbs, savoury tannins and supporting acidity. Nicely mature. 2021-26. (2021)"

93 points James Suckling: "Attractive blackberry, black plum and dark chocolate character. Full-bodied and chewy with slightly austere tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Needs another year or two of bottle age, to allow it to soften. Drink after 2021. (11/2/20)"