Abadia Retuerta, Selección Especial, Sardon de Duero, Spain, 2018

Overview of the Wine

The Abadía Retuerta Estate occupies over 700 hectares of terrain, and its name comes from the combination of two words that define and describe the territory: Rívula (river bank) and Torta (twisting, winding). Over 204 hectares of vineyards are spread out on hillsides ranging in altitude from a maximum 850 metres down to the southern bank of the Duero River. Most of the world's best varieties of soil are represented.

Designed by famous French enologist, Pascal Delbeck, in 1996, Abadía Retuerta winery is a surprising combination of tradition and modernity, recognized as one of the most advanced wineries in Europe. Currently, Angel Anocíbar Beloqui (PhD in Enology and Ampelography from the University of Bordeaux and International Wine Challenge 2005 Winemaker of the Year) coordinates the entire process, from the vine to the bottle.

Abadía Retuerta estate wines offer some very unique characteristics. They are full-colored wines, intense and aromatically clean, clearly structured, smooth to the palate and delicate in the development of their strength.

Grape / Blend
77% Tempranillo, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot & Garnacha

Origin
Sardon de Duero, Spain

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
A bright yet deep red, denoting a young wine. On the nose it is clean and fragrant, with aromatic complexity — there are fruity aromas of blackberry, red plum and figs, along with floral hints (of wild rose) and spiced notes of clove and bay leaf. At first the taste is broad, vibrant and fresh, but also smooth and mellow thanks to its fine-grained and mature tannins that coat the palate. It has a long finish, and is certain to improve over the years.

94 Points - James Suckling
A deep nose, full of charcoal, sandalwood, olives, black pepper and blackberries. The oak is starting to integrate. Full-bodied palate with a creamy texture, accentuated by powdery tannins. Long, juicy and creamy finish.

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
2018 was a cooler year with more rain and higher yields, and the 2018 Selección Especial shows very harmonious and better integrated oak than the 2017. Despite having similar analytical data, the wine comes through as fresher, more balanced, more fluid and with a finer texture given the quality of the tannins.

Product size: 750ml