As it slowly opens up in the glass, Gago shows an evolving array of aromas and textures with impressive depth and nuance. While the concentration is restrained compared to some of the over-stuffed styles out there, it has plenty of flavor intensity, driven by ripe but fresh fruit aromas like blackberry, concentrated black plum and blueberry skins, accompanied by pretty floral tones as well as earthier tones of stony minerality, forest floor, and a light veil of char found in reds from the sunniest spots in Spain. There is an initial nuttiness like walnut that moves into the background as the wine opens, along with a distant hint of vanilla pod. The flavors work in tandem with a dry palate that softens with air as the fruit turns supple and mouth-filling, with a chewiness and mouthcoating fine, chalky texture from the tannin. It feels mellow and cooling, falling into a clean, subtle tapering on the dry finish with just enough tang to clean the palate. This is a great partner with moderately aged, nutty cheeses like Manchego, and roast meats with roasted root vegetables. You might find it hard to put down!
WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The 2018 Gago was produced with Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) from the villages of Argujillo, Villabuena del Puente and Morales de Toro in an atypical vintage in the zone, with lots of rain and a cool summer that delivered a generous crop of late-picked grapes between October 4th and 10th. It fermented in oak and stainless steel vats and matured for 14 months in oak foudres and 20% of the volume in barriques. The wines are always ripe here, and the challenge is to keep the freshness and achieve elegance. The wine is juicy, round and full-bodied, with abundant, slightly grainy tannins. 42,220 bottles produced. It was bottled in May and June 2019." - Luis Gutierrez
TELMO RODRIGUEZ is the LEADER of a significant movement to make Spanish wine that speaks of its place, its terroir. His wines focus on the expression of the sites, the villages, and the grape varieties. This is not designer wine. This is authentic wine that tells a story in each bottling – a story about the soil, the climate, and the particular vintage.
WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "The 2018 Gago was produced with Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) from the villages of Argujillo, Villabuena del Puente and Morales de Toro in an atypical vintage in the zone, with lots of rain and a cool summer that delivered a generous crop of late-picked grapes between October 4th and 10th. It fermented in oak and stainless steel vats and matured for 14 months in oak foudres and 20% of the volume in barriques. The wines are always ripe here, and the challenge is to keep the freshness and achieve elegance. The wine is juicy, round and full-bodied, with abundant, slightly grainy tannins. 42,220 bottles produced. It was bottled in May and June 2019." - Luis Gutierrez
TELMO RODRIGUEZ is the LEADER of a significant movement to make Spanish wine that speaks of its place, its terroir. His wines focus on the expression of the sites, the villages, and the grape varieties. This is not designer wine. This is authentic wine that tells a story in each bottling – a story about the soil, the climate, and the particular vintage.
