Gago 2020 is the most representative wine of Telmo Rodríguez in the D.O. Toro. It is defined by its nobility and its recognizable character that fascinates those who are not yet familiar with the strength of the Tinta de Toro variety and, at the same time, will delight lovers of the characteristic wines of the denomination. A wine of small production, powerful, balanced, with fruity intensity and mineral notes.
Consumption features
Serving temperature
General features
General Information
Gago 2020 is made from the tinta de Toro and albillo mayor varieties, sourced from the 21 best plots of the winegrowers Telmo Rodríguez has been working with since 1998. These are old, low-density bush vines planted on soils with sandstone sediments alternating with gravel terraces. All this results in an exceptional red wine where elegance stands out above power and concentration.
Gago is one of the wines produced in Zamora by the winery Compañía de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez, founded in 1994 by Telmo Rodríguez himself and his partner Pablo Eguzkiza. The main philosophy of the winery is to use only native varieties in their original regions, as is the case in Toro, which contrasts with the approach of other wineries that introduce foreign varieties in much of the vineyards in our country.
The production of this Gago 2020 begins with a manual harvest, transported in boxes to the winery. There, the must ferments with native yeasts in 6000-liter wooden and stainless steel tanks. It is then aged for 14 months in foudres and oak barrels. The final result is a noble, pure, and balanced red wine, ideal for pairing with grilled red meats, meat-based rice dishes, legume stews, cured meats, and semi-cured cheeses.
Tasting notes
Gago displays a cherry red color with garnet tones, clean and bright.
On the nose, with medium-high intensity, it presents aromas of black fruit, notes of wood and toast. Hints of smokiness, chocolate, and balsamic notes.
On the palate, it shows medium body, with correct acidity that provides freshness and marked tannins. It is powerful, elegant, and balanced.
The winery
The winery of the Compañía de Telmo Rodríguez is located on a beautiful estate in Rioja Alavesa called Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri, in the municipal district of Labastida. An estate with a rich history. It has evolved from being part of a medieval settlement in the 10th century to a farm run by Hieronymite monks in the 14th century. However, it was in 1968 when a couple, Jaime Rodríguez and Amaya Hernandorena, acquired the estate. During this period, they opted for a more modern and fruit-forward style of wine, quite different from the classic Rioja of the time.
Today, the estate is managed by the second generation, led by the couple's son, Telmo Rodríguez, who, far from settling into the family winery, decided to study and train in Bordeaux and establish his own brand. With it, he produces wines from indigenous varieties in various unique regions of Spain's geography: Rioja, Rueda, Cigales, Toro, Ribera del Duero, Alicante… to name a few. Another of the proposals of the Compañía de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez is to focus particularly on the recovery of forgotten vineyards.
Telmo Rodríguez, together with his friend and partner, Pablo Eguzquiza, has been working the vineyard since 1992. During this time, they have produced special terroir-driven wines that manage to express a modern and natural character from historical vineyards. One of Telmo Rodríguez's guiding principles is to preserve and care for the taste of the region because, according to the winemaker, it had been lost over the past decades: “poor viticulture loses the taste of the place.”