Winemaker Angel Anocibar
75% Tempranillo
20% Cabernet Sauvignon
5% Merlot
The Abadia winery is located in the heart of the Golden Mile of Spanish winemaking between Tudela de Duero and Penafiel. The Golden Mile has special climatic conditions and an age-old winemaking tradition.
First planted in 1991, primarily on the northern, stonier and less fertile side of the Duero valley, the estate of Santa Maria de Retuerta covers 700 hectares, of which 204 are planted to vine. The vines are planted along a range of slopes running down to the southern bank of the River Duero from a maximum height of 850 metres. The estate comprises 54 crus that are identified by the composition of the soil, orientation, grape variety and micro-climate. The wine produced from each cru is different. This gives winemaker Angel Anocibar a great range of subtly different blending wines from which to choose for the Abadia Retuerta range.
65% of the vineyards are planted with Tempranillo, 25% with Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% with Merlot.
The grapes for the Seleccion Especial are grown in two separate areas where the soils are clay and gravel respectively. Each variety was vinified separately, with frequent gentle pumping over of the must at the beginning of fermentation. The length of maceration, both pre and post fermentation varied according to each variety and the sub-plot in which it was grown. After malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the final blend was aged for 18 months in a mixture of French and American oak.
Dark ruby red in colour, with perfumes of black cherries and eucalyptus on the nose, together with ripe, red berry fruit. On the palate it is concentrated and powerful, with the vanilla spices from the new oak well-integrated with the ripe, supple fruit. Tannins are powerful but supple, softened by the addition of the small percentage of Merlot and given elegance by the Cabernet, both supporting the delicate and aromatic Tempranillo character.