2020 Abadia Retuerta Seleccíon Especial

The 2020 Abadía Retuerta Selección Especial is a fantastic red wine from the Castilla y León region, Spain located in the Sardon del Duero appellation. This appellation borders the Ribera del Duero and is very important for Abadia Retuerta because more grapes are allowed in this appellation than in the Ribera del Duero. Since they make more French-oriented wines at Abadia, they like to use cabernet sauvignon, syrah and petit Verdot in addition to tempranillo and they even make single vineyard wines from these.

The Selección Especial is a blend consisting of 70% Tempranillo, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Syrah, 4% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. The grapes are harvested by hand and carefully selected. The wine is aged for approximately 12-16 months in oak barrels, both French and American, which contributes to its complexity and finesse.

In the glass, the Abadía Retuerta Selección Especial is deep ruby red in color with purple nuances. In the nose we smell intense aromas of ripe red and black fruit (such as cherries, berries and plums), combined with subtle hints of spices, cedar, vanilla and toasted notes. In the mouth the wine is full and well balanced with silky tannins. The wine has a firm structure, lively acids and a long, elegant finish in which fruit and spices come together harmoniously.

The 2020 Abadía Retuerta Selección Especial is a versatile wine that pairs well with:

- Grilled or roasted red meat (e.g. lamb chops or steak).
- Game dishes such as deer or duck.
- Mature cheeses such as manchego.
- Dishes with strong sauces or Mediterranean herbs.

Year 2020:

The 2020 vintage was noted for its ideal weather conditions for maturation, resulting in a wine with an excellent balance between concentration, freshness and finesse. The cool climate of Castilla y León ensures that the wines retain lively acidity, even in hot summers.

Abadia Retuerta Winery

Abadía Retuerta Le Domaine, the full name of the winery, is a wine estate located at the gates of the Ribeira del Duero. The estate not only produces exclusive wines, but is an architectural gem in itself, an old 12th-century abbey with a luxurious 5-star hotel and a star restaurant. This historic abbey is owned by the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis and was restored in 2008 under the direction of the Italian architect Marco Serra. It is located in Sardón de Duero, right on the western border of the Ribeira del Duero. A number of the vineyards are therefore located outside this area. In addition, Abadía Retuerta experiments with grape varieties such as Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah that are not permitted in Ribeira del Duero. The wines are currently marketed under the basic appellation Vino de la Tierra Castilla Y León. However, an application for its own appellation has been submitted. The estate focuses mainly on the production of high-end red wines, but has recently also launched a white wine. This wine is a peculiar but very successful blend of sauvignon blanc, verdejo, godello, riesling and gewürztraminer.

Le Domaine, as the white wine is called, has enjoyed a subtle wood maturation and has also rested on the lees for 6 months. The result is a slightly aromatic wine that is particularly smooth in the mouth and is accompanied by a beautiful freshness and ditto length. In addition, Abadía Retuerta produces 5 red wines, of which one is a blend and four red single vineyard mono-varieties, respectively: Seleccion Especial (tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon and syrah), Pago Negralada (tempranillo), Pago Garduna (syrah), Pago Valdebellón (cabernet sauvignon) and PV (petit verdot).

That we are talking about a top winery is also evident from the simple fact that Pascal Delbeck from Château Ausone has been hired as a member of the management who consults Abadia Retuerta. Another great person who advises on a daily basis is Angel Anocibar Beloqui, the first Spanish Doctor in oenology at the University of Bordeaux, and in 2005 proclaimed Best Winemaker by IWC. Another very noteworthy fact is that Abadia Retuerta has a great hotel and restaurant on the estate. The restaurant recently even received a Michelin star. Read more under the heading winery.