Pago Valdebellón 2010

Located in the famous “Golden Mile”, the Abadía Retuerta estate covers just over 700 hectares of woods and vineyards, watered by the river Douro, near the village of Sardon de Duero. Since 1996 the estate has been a hotel and bodega producing red wines that are not part of the Ribera del Duero DOC and cultivating mainly Tempranillo which shares space with parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Petit Verdot. The oenological duo formed of Bordeaux consultant, Pascal Delbeck, and Angel Anocibar has resulted in wines of generous extraction, delicious, meaty and with a great deal of elegance, gaining themselves international prestige.

Appearance

Dark cherry red hue, very covered, with a violet rim, very bright with noticeable, nice-coloured legs. Really nice.

Nose

Very high intensity, concentrated and surprisingly floral. Ripe black fruit notes come through along with hints of coal. Very obvious, elegant roasted notes followed by spice. Very complex and changing.

Palate

Shows strength and volume. Certainly elegant, and much more harmonious than it appears. Fruit and balsamic flavours with a warm, spicy finish. Delicious.

Comment

For fans of well-adapted foreign grape varieties, structured wines, with power and “oenological nomenclature” bursting through, this is definitely a top Spanish Cabernet Sauvignon. And look how it expresses itself… with character and strength. It is still a pony that needs to be broken in, but it looks like it has a long, full life ahead of it. Hailing from plots higher up than the estate, it has been aged in French oak barrels for 22 months. You should try it with veal braised with mushrooms or just plain grilled. A treat not to be missed.