Producer: Abadia Retuerta
Wine: Rivola—Estate Grown Sardon de Duero
Vintage: 2003
Country: Spain
Appellation: Castilla y Leon
Wine Type: Red
Varietal: Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon
Grade: B+
Category: Excellent Value
Price: $17

Abadia Retuerta is an earnest Spanish bodega that makes consistently delicious wine. The winery is in the Castilla y Leon wine region of Spain in the northwestern part along the Duero Rivery Valley. Abadia Retuerta is in a section of the wine region near Vallodolid called, “The Golden Mile” because it is home to the likes of the auspicious Vega Sicilia, Pingus, and Mauro wineries. Abadia Retuerta’s bodega is just outside of the Ribera del Duero D.O. and can quite redo that prestigious region’s boundaries but that just makes them try harder. Their 2003 Rivola from their estate in Sardon de Duero is a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon that has been aged in oak for one year and shows ample character in its short joven life. This is a medium-big bodied wine that emits ample aromas of cherry fruit and toasted oak to draw your attention. The mouth fills with black cherries, cloves, leathery smoke, and presents sturdy tannins that smooth out in the complex in-out balanced finish. The Rivola will hold just fine for another 2-3 years but is engaging in its present state. There’s good character here and this exotic red should match well with a wide range of food and cuisines. Bueno.

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