Telmo Rodríguez Rioja Las Beatas 2020

99 points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "[$340 list] The super elegant, perfumed and floral 2020 Las Beatas comes from grapes harvested on the eighth of October, normal dates despite the warmer year after suffering hail in May, but some rain in September slowed things down. This is a very regular wine even in a strange year when Graciano ripened before Tempranillo. The wine, produced with zero technology, like the wines from yesteryear, has moderate ripeness and 14% alcohol. Despite being in the glass for over one hour, it didn't show any signs of ripeness at all. It has a very sleek and silky palate with refined, ultra-elegant tannins that give it a superb texture. This is one of the greatest wines from Rioja and from Spain, with clockwork regularity. 1,527 bottles were filled in April 2022. Drink: 2024-2035. (2/29/24)"

99 points Tim Atkin, MW: "(14%) First produced as recently as 2011, Las Beatas is now established at the pinnacle of Rioja. Made with 11 varieties from 11 different terraces totalling 1.9 hectares in Labastida, it's the closest that the region comes to the texture and balance of a Grand Cru Burgundy. More ethereal and fragrant than the 2019, it has peony and potpourri aromas, lacy tannins, very little oak influence and graceful pomegranate, raspberry and water melon flavours. Beautifully balanced. 2025-40. (2023)"

98 points Joaquín Hidalgo (Vinous): "Curated by Telmo Rodríguez and Pablo Eguzkiza, the 2020 Las Beatas epitomizes the new era of terroir-driven wines in Rioja. This remarkable wine hails from a mere 1.9-hectare plot nestled in the elevated reaches of Labastida, Rioja Alavesa. Once forgotten, this vineyard now thrives as a vibrant testament to old-vine viticulture. Aged entirely in foudres, the 2020 unveils a luminous garnet hue. Its alluring bouquet is a symphony of grapefruit, white peach, sour cherry, sweetbrier and wild herbs, offering a nuanced and intricate olfactory experience. On the palate, it is dry, lithe and delicate, with a velvety yet chalky texture that gracefully carries a loose and silky flow. Each sip reveals layered flavors that linger long on the palate. Las Beatas is a breathtaking expression of Rioja—wild yet precise, crafted in harmony with nature's rhythms. Drink: 2024-2040. (Apr 2024)"

97 points James Suckling: " Something ethereal in the nose with subtle and enticing aromas of various fruits such as raspberries and black cherries, as well as perfumed flowers such as honeysuckle. Fruit tea and mineral. Medium-bodied with firm and focused tannins that are integrated beautifully with the fruit. Racy finish. It needs about two to four years to come more together and open. Made from a single vineyard of 1.9 hectares in Rioja Alavesa. From organically grown grapes. Best after 2026. (8/29/23)"