He kept it a secret for a decade. He worked tirelessly and finally Telmo Rodríguez has achieved success with Yjar, his personal project that has allowed him to make his way into La Place de Bordeaux, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious wine markets.
This particular wine from the D.O.Ca. Rioja is the first Spanish red to be marketed in this space, established by the English and Dutch in the 16th century, boasting 800 years of history where merchants from around the globe come to acquire the finest wines produced in Bordeaux. Evidently, not everyone gains access to this exclusive showcase; however, over the past 20 years, other producers like Barón Philippe de Rothschild Almaviva (Chile), Opus One (California), and the Italian Massetto have managed to join this club.
Similarly, this new relationship serves to remind us of the historical connection between this French corner and the Rioja town of Labastida. Specifically, this village (located in La Rioja Alavesa) is the Spanish cradle of modern wine in the Bordeaux style. In fact, to be more precise, it was in this village that the first wine in the purest Medoc style was crafted in 1780. This is what Telmo Rodríguez aims to emulate from the 3.8 hectares of old and historic vineyard situated in Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri, at the Toloño monastery, a former property of the Hieronymite monks. Here, in the mountains, the vineyard is located between 600 and 800 meters above sea level and thrives on limestone soils (with a high concentration of carbonates and rocky terrain), where varieties such as tempranillo, graciano, garnacha, grand noir, and rojal are cultivated.
As for the vinification and production, everything has been kept under wraps and will continue to be so, safeguarded by extensive research and restoration efforts. As the saying goes: “In speech, discreet; in action, secret.” In this regard, Telmo Rodríguez tends to be rather reserved, releasing very limited productions that sell out within minutes of hitting the market. A true success. It's best to act swiftly and not rest on one's laurels. Undoubtedly, it is priceless to approach this small piece of Spanish wine history.