2020 Abadia Retuerta Cuvée Palomar

The historic domain of Abadía Retuerta in Castilla y León

Abadía Retuerta is situated on a vast estate in Sardón de Duero, a region with a long history of winemaking. The original abbey and granary are now part of a five-star hotel, while the modern winery was completely rebuilt in 1996. Vineyard replanting began in 1988, giving the estate carefully selected plots optimally suited to the various grape varieties.

In 2022, the winery received official DO Abadía de Retuerta recognition within the Wine of Pago classification framework. This status emphasizes the estate's unique identity and the vineyards' unique location. Led by Bordeaux-trained oenologist Ángel Anocíbar, the technical team focuses on wines with precision, nuance, and an international style. Abadía Retuerta works exclusively with grapes from its own 193 hectares of vineyards and strives for organic certification. Production averages 600,000 bottles per year. In addition, the winery preserves a library of older vintages, with selective releases of wines dating back to 1996.

Location, terroir and climate of Sardón de Duero

Situated on the western edge of the Ribera del Duero region, Sardón de Duero boasts a terroir that clearly distinguishes itself from surrounding regions. The vineyards benefit from a continental climate with warm summer days and cool nights. This temperature difference is essential for grapes, which must combine ripeness and freshness. The soils vary from limestone and clay to sand and gravel. This diversity allows the various grape varieties to reach their full potential.

The location along the Duero River creates a gentle airflow that promotes ripening and mitigates the risk of extreme heat. This creates a growing season in which the grapes can fully ripen without losing their aromatic tension. This is beneficial for blends like the Cuvée Palomar, as it allows multiple varietals to express their own identity within a single wine.

The grape varieties in Cuvée Palomar 2020

The 2020 Cuvée Palomar is composed of 53 percent Tempranillo, 30 percent Garnacha, 13 percent Graciano, and 4 percent Malbec. Tempranillo forms the core of the wine, providing structure, dark fruit, and balance. Garnacha adds juiciness, red fruit notes, and a light, rich palate. Graciano adds freshness, tension, and aromatic depth. Malbec enhances the color intensity and brings floral accents and added concentration.

This combination results in a wine with a refined structure, an elegant texture, and a clearly layered expression. The grape varieties complement each other rather than compete, giving the wine a distinctive personality without sacrificing accessibility.

Vinification and maturation of the 2020 vintage

2020 was a growing season with a good balance between ripeness and freshness. The grapes were harvested plot by plot and carefully sorted before fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged for two years in oak barrels, 20% of which were new. Both French and American oak were used. This subtle oak aging gives the wine structure and a light creaminess, without overpowering the fruit expression.

With an alcohol content of fourteen percent, the Cuvée Palomar demonstrates controlled ripeness. The wine was bottled in May 2022. Total production amounts to twenty-five thousand bottles. This vintage is known for its soft and precise character with rounded, integrated tannins. Thanks to its balanced structure, the wine has a drinking window until at least 2036.

Color, aroma and taste of Cuvée Palomar 2020

The wine has a deep garnet color with a purple hue. On the nose, it reveals aromas of plum, violet, and red cherry, complemented by subtle lactic notes and a hint of oak. This aroma gradually opens up, gaining complexity as the wine matures in the glass.

On the palate, the wine is dry, lively, and refined. The structure is slightly taut, with a delicate yet juicy body. The tannins are rounded and fully integrated, giving the whole a soft, elegant texture. The finish has a soft creaminess that contrasts beautifully with the freshness and fruit. The wine is precise and clear in its expression, making it appealing for both immediate consumption and further aging.

The style and meaning of this cuvée

The 2020 Cuvée Palomar showcases the modern signature of Abadía Retuerta. This wine combines Spanish tradition with an international style that focuses on nuance, detail, and balance. The careful oak aging, the use of diverse grape varieties, and the estate's rich history combine to create a wine that clearly stands out from the crowd.

Thanks to its elegant structure, this wine is versatile and versatile. It has sufficient power to carry substantial dishes, yet remains fresh and refined enough not to overpower more subtle pairings. The Cuvée Palomar 2020 is therefore an excellent choice for connoisseurs seeking precision, complexity, and a distinctive character.

Would you like to order Abadía Retuerta wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator.

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Wine and food pairings

Grilled sirloin steak with fresh thyme complements the round tannins and dark fruit of this wine. A slow-cooked beef steak with carrot and bay leaf enhances the aromatic depth and spiciness. Rack of lamb with Mediterranean herbs complements the elegant structure and freshness. Mushroom risotto with Parmesan provides a creamy contrast to the subtly creamy finish. Duck breast with cherry sauce emphasizes the combination of red fruit, finesse, and length on the finish.

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