Abadia Retuerta CUVEE EL PALOMAR Sardon De Duero Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon

The Rivola is a blend of 60% Tempranillo and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Tempranillo and Cabernet used for the Rivola were vinified separately, with lengthy maceration, including cold pre-fermentation maceration. The wine spent 12 months in new oak barrels, both French and American. It has a good depth of ruby red colour and is intensely perfumed with notes of coffee, and black cherry, overlaid with a spicy, vanilla aroma. On the palate the strawberry, cherry fruit character mingles with spices such as cloves and liquorice. The Cabernet gives depth and concentration to the ripe strawberry character of the Tempranillo. It is long, smooth and spicy to the finish. This 700 hectare estate, situated just to the west of the Ribera del Duero zone and only five kilometers down river from Vega Sicilia, has 210 hectares of vineyard. First planted in 1991, primarily on the northern, stonier and less fertile side of the Duero valley, the vineyards are immaculately tended, and comprised of 65% Tempranillo, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. (12 x 75 cl)

The Seleccion Especial is a blend of Tempranillo , Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot . It is intense dark plum in colour with great depth of red fruit and herbaceous on the nose, giving way to sweet spice and coffee on the nose. It boasts an excellent structure with full, red fruit from the Tempranillo, backbone and depth from the Cabernet and round, fleshy fruit from the Merlot. The wine is complex and intense, with layers of summer fruit, berries and rich sweet spices and a lengthy, rich finish. The Abadia Retuerta winery is located in the heart of the Golden Mile of Spanish winemaking between Tudela de Duero and Penafiel. First planted in 1991, primarily on the northern, stonier and less fertile side of the Duero valley, the estate covers 700 hectares, of which 204 are planted to vine. The estate comprises of 54 crus that are identified by the composition of their soil, their orientation, the variety growing in them and their micro-climate. The wine produced from each cru is different giving winemaker Angel Anocibar a great range of subtly different blending wines from which to choose for the Abadia Retuerta range. The Seleccion Especial comes from a careful selection of the best grapes of all the plots on the estate. (12 x 75 cl)

The first scents are potent, of crystallized fruit, followed by that of aromatic herbs and delicate wood. On the palate, this wine has a full finish, with sensations of quince and crystallized figs. It is a wine of great richness, with a great ageing potential for the future. A wine with charm, flavour and a rare sensuality. This wine comes from a Tempranillo vineyard planted on clayey soil with pebbles and alluvial soils from the River Duero. After complete maceration and after the malolactic fermentation, it developed its potential in new French oak casks. This Tempranillo showed an excellent ripeness that offers fragrant aromas of strawberry, liquorice, aromatic herbs and minerals, together with silky tannins. (6 x 75 cl)

This top Rioja producer has undertaken this new project, unbound by the D.O. regulations of Rioja, to produce a full-bodied, aromatic 100% old-vine Tempranillo wine which is ready to drink on release. Fermented in stainless steel tanks, the wine spends five months in oak, and displays powerful aromas of raspberry and cherry, followed by integrated, smoky oak with firmly structured tannins and abundant fruit on a persistent finish. (6 x 75 cl)

Marques de Riscal RISCAL 1860 Tempranillo Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y Leon from Spain, Castilla y Leon by Marchesi de' Frescobaldi (12 x 75 cl)

Marques de Riscal, pioneer in the production of top quality wines in Rioja and Rueda has set out on a new venture to make a highly expressive red wine outside the Rioja D.O. As a result this wine has been created taking advantage of total liberty in the vinification process but using only the grapes from the most select plots of Tempranillo. The Tempranillo variety produces highly aromatic wines with a full body and colour that are well structured, fresh and intense. Here, great care is taken from the vineyard to the winery as only ripe Tempranillo grapes which have received plenty of sunshine are accepted. Collected in boxes with a maximum capacity of 18 kilos so as to avoid the berries getting broken or crushed, attention to detail is very important and after 6 months ageing in American Oak this rich cherry-red coloured wine is ready to drink. Displaying high aromatic intensity, with aromas of ripe, black fruit and fine smoky nuances there is also underlying toast. In the mouth, it is warm, meaty, powerful with a presence of smooth tannins. It has moderate acidity, with a long, pleasant finish in which the perception of oak is more defined. (6 x 75 cl)

Vina de la Tierra Castilla LEGADO ANNA Cabernet Sauvignon Spain from Spain by Vina de la Tierra Castilla (12 x 75 cl)

Pretty pale yellow straw coloured wine with greenish alimonados reflexes. Aromas of fresh fruit are evident while there are nuances aniseed. In the mouth is dry, tasty and well balanced, presenting a fresh acidity through to the finish. (12 x 75 cl)

Aromatic complexity with notes of wood and smoke. Very long aftertaste (6 x 75 cl)