Pago Negralada Tempranillo - Abadía Retuerta

The Pago Negralada Tempranillo - Abadía Retuerta pours into the glass in a deep, dense ruby red, with an almost black core and a finely luminous rim. The nose unfolds an intense, clear aromatic profile of ripe cherry, dark plum and juicy red berries. Notes of clove, black tea, toasted wood, tobacco and a hint of liquorice join in. A subtle touch of graphite, cedarwood and dried herbs adds further depth.

On the palate, the wine is concentrated, powerful and precise at the same time. The opening is velvety, with dense, ripe fruit and spicy notes reminiscent of clove, pepper and fine cocoa. The acidity is lively and taut, carrying the intense aromas and lending the wine tension. Ripe, fine-grained tannins envelop the tongue, remaining present yet silky and well integrated. The body is full but never heavy, while the texture is dense, elegant and long-lasting. The finish reveals dark cherries, black tea, spicy oak aromas and a long, powerful aftertaste.

The Tempranillo grape from the single vineyard Pago Negralada in the Ribera del Duero DO takes centre stage in this distinctive red wine. The continental climate of Castile and León, with hot days and cool nights, shapes the grapes and gives them ripe fruit, structure and character. The style follows Old World principles: balance, finesse and a strong sense of place take centre stage.

• Type of wine: dry red wine
• Grape variety: Tempranillo (single-variety)
• Origin: Ribera del Duero DO, Castile and León, Spain
• Alcohol content: 14.5% vol
• Ageing: 16 months in French oak
• Style: concentrated, spicy, elegant, long-lasting

1. Intense aromas of red and dark fruit
2. Spicy notes of clove, black tea and fine oak
3. Velvety yet structured tannins
4. Lively acidity and powerful body
5. Very long, aromatic finish

The interplay of ripe fruit, fine oak spice and mineral freshness creates a red wine of great depth. The Pago Negralada Tempranillo - Abadía Retuerta is particularly suited to discerning enthusiasts who appreciate distinctive wines with a clear sense of origin.

Production of the Pago Negralada Tempranillo - Abadía Retuerta

The grapes for the Pago Negralada Tempranillo - Abadía Retuerta come from a single vineyard in Ribera del Duero, characterised by sparse, gravelly soils with sandy and clay components. The continental climate brings hot summers and cold winters, along with significant temperature differences between day and night during the ripening period. These conditions encourage concentrated berries with thick skins, intense colour and complex aromas.

The vines are kept at strictly controlled yields. Careful canopy management, targeted crop thinning and attentive vineyard cultivation secure grapes of the highest quality. The harvest is carried out selectively by hand, usually during the cool morning hours, in order to preserve freshness and aromas. Each parcel is brought separately to the winery, where further selection takes place on the sorting table.

In the cellar, the Abadía Retuerta team relies on a combination of modern technology and traditional handcraft. After gentle destemming, the whole berries are transferred to temperature-controlled fermentation tanks. Fermentation on the skins proceeds slowly, with gentle pump-overs so that colour, tannins and aromas pass from the berry skins into the must. The process is carefully measured throughout, ensuring that elegance and clarity remain at the forefront.

The wine then matures for around 16 months in French oak barriques, some of them new. The selection of different barrel origins and toast levels lends additional complexity: notes of cedarwood, toast, spices and fine smoke combine harmoniously with the ripe Tempranillo fruit. During ageing on the fine lees, the wine gains structure, texture and depth. Before bottling, gentle clarification is carried out so that its natural expressiveness is preserved.

The style of the Abadía Retuerta estate places the greatest emphasis on a sense of place, precision and balance. The Pago Negralada demonstrates this philosophy impressively: a Tempranillo with a powerful backbone, rich aromatics and pronounced length, driven by elegance rather than mere opulence.

Serving recommendations for the Pago Negralada Tempranillo - Abadía Retuerta

The Pago Negralada pairs excellently with dark-coloured dishes and spicy, savoury foods. Robust meat dishes featuring beef, lamb or game harmonise particularly intensely with its dense fruit and spicy oak notes. Braised dishes with rich sauces, ragouts or well-seasoned roasts also develop great expression alongside it.

• Beef fillet or entrecôte with herb jus
• Rack of lamb with rosemary and thyme
• Braised ox cheeks or game ragout
• Spicy stews with chorizo
• Hard cheese and mature semi-hard cheese with nutty aromas

As a winter wine, this Tempranillo is an excellent companion for cosy evenings by the fireplace, festive menus and special occasions with family or friends. It creates impressive moments at tastings with connoisseurs and makes a striking highlight at elegant dinner gatherings. In a large Bordeaux glass, the wine reveals its full complexity, with the aromas appearing especially nuanced.

The ideal serving temperature is between 15 and 18°C. At this temperature, the structure presents clearly, the tannins feel silky and the fruit displays full intensity. Decanting for some time before serving opens the wine further and accentuates its depth. Stored in a well-tempered, dark cellar, the Pago Negralada can be kept for several years, developing further maturity and continually refining its aromatic nuances.

Whether enjoyed on its own in a large glass or paired with richly flavoured dishes, this Tempranillo from Castile and León offers intense, long-lasting enjoyment and impressively demonstrates the potential of Ribera del Duero.

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