Abadia Retuerta - Seleccion Especial 2020

From the 1960s onwards at Abadía Retuerta (by which point the estate had been taken into private ownership), wine production was further reduced and most of the vineyards were grubbed up in order to concentrate on the production of selected seeds. This process was finalised in the early 1980s, when the last of the grapevines were uprooted.

In 1988, the company Sandoz bought a Spanish seed business, which in turn owned the Abadía Retuerta estate. Noting the enormous and unique potential of this land, the company decided to “revive” the historic vineyard and bring back its winemaking tradition. In 1994, vigneron Pascal Delbeck (Château Ausone, Belair) joined the project and designed the current winery, which was built in 1996. That same year, Ángel Anocíbar, the current oenologist and director of the vineyard and winery, joined the team.

Since early 2022, Abadía Retuerta has had its own Protected Designation of Origin. This seal of approval, granted by the European Union, endorses the estate’s wine as a product of guaranteed origin, quality and tradition. The accolade is further confirmation of the exceptional soils at Abadía Retuerta, certifying that their wines are an authentic expression of the terroir. That is, the region’s particular climatic and geographical traits imbue the estate’s vineyards and grapes with unique attributes, so the resulting wines are full of genuine local character. This quality and identity all comes down to one crucial factor: the wines are made from the estate’s own grapes, which come straight from the vineyards and are processed in the winery on site.

Selección Especial is the first wine from Abadía Retuerta in which the best wines of the vintage are selected and blended together. All of the wines come from the estate’s own vineyard, which has been separated into 54 distinct plots. This wine mostly consists of Tempranillo, and it is complemented by other varieties from the estate.

The vines, which grow at an altitude of approximately 850 meters, have an average age of 20 years. The climate is predominantly continental, with typically cold winters and hot summers. The harvest is carried out uniformly and selectively, choosing only the highest quality grapes. After the grapes are transported to the winery, the first fermentation takes place in small stainless steel tanks. The subsequent malolactic fermentation of the Abadía Retuerta Selección Especial must also occurs in stainless steel tanks. Finally, before bottling, Abadía Retuerta Selección Especial ages for approximately 16 months in French and American oak barrels.

“The 2020 Seleccion Especial is the producer’s most popular wine made from a majority of their plots and blends 68% Tempranillo, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Syrah, and some Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Graciano. The first year that last variety was included, the Graciano adds acidity to balance the other varieties that lose acidity quickly in heat events, like Tempranillo. It spent 13 months in 80% French oak, 20% American oak, one-third new, one-third second use, one-third third use. The acidity is indeed balanced and helpful in lifting the red berry fruit inherent in the medium-bodied wine, which shows subtle herbal, earthiness from the Cabernet Sauvignon. Complex, fine tannins give way to a finishing touch of leather and cigar box.” - 94 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

“2020 was a cooler year with more rain, following the path of years like 2016 and 2018. The 2020 Selección Especial, produced with 70% Tempranillo, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Syrah, 4% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot, is harmonious and moderately ripe at 14% alcohol, with nice balancing freshness. It matured for 12 months in French and American oak (35%) barrels, one-third of them new. They harvested it before it rained, and the wine has more herbal aromas and feels a little more Bordelais, balsamic, even minty. The oak is neatly integrated and folded into the fruit.” - 93 Points, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“The 2020 Selección Especial from Abadía Retuerta is a blend of 69% Tempranillo, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Syrah, 4% Merlot, 2% Graciano and 1% Petit Verdot. It was aged for 12 months in French and American oak of varying ages. Dark garnet in color, it offers aromas of cherry, black cherry and mature red fruit over fine oak, cedar and a hint of vanilla. Subtle forest floor appears on the finish. The palate is intense and creamy, with plush texture, juicy flow and gentle grip. A bold New World-style wine in the Spanish context.” - 93 Points, Vinous

Producer: Abadia Retuerta 

Country: Spain

Region: Castilla y León

Varietal: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Garnacha

Appellation: Abadia Retuerta

Vintage: 2020

Size: 750ml