Abadía Retuerta Selección Especial | 2018

One of the greatest values for red wines in Spain, Abadía Retuerta sits on the western outskirts of the Ribera del Duero appellation in the greater Castilla y León region. An expression of a cooler vintage, the 2018 is 77% Tempranillo with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and less than 1% of Petit Verdot. Aged for 12 months in American and French oak, the style is for those who appreciate the elements of earth, mineral, and spice, tucked into the seams of brambly fruit. In the glass, smoky violets, cigar, and sweet, leafy greens uncover a core of fresh raspberries and blues. There’s solid tannin, dryness, and weight on the palate, but it’s pleasantly not a powerhouse. Exceptional in every way for its price, Abadía Retuerta is rarely a bad choice. ~Allegra A