Abadía Retuerta Pago Garduña 2021

Abadía Retuerta is a single estate in Sardón de Duero, just west of the Ribera del Duero boundary, working under its own DOP Abadía Retuerta. The winery began mapping its soils by composition and altitude in 1996, treating each plot individually for vinification, and Pago Garduña is one of those single-vineyard selections, planted to Syrah. The vineyards lie at altitudes ranging from 700 to 850 metres, where the continental climate and high-altitude cooling produce a wide diurnal range that lets the Syrah ripen its dark fruit and peppery spice while holding fresh acidity. After fermentation the wine ages sixteen months in French oak barrels, the slow oxygen exchange through the wood building structure and integrating a fine smoky spice without overwhelming the fruit. It pours a deep dark ruby. The nose shows ripe blackberry and dark plum, black pepper, dried herbs and a smoky, almost meaty depth that is typical of cool-climate Syrah. The palate is full and structured, with firm fine tannins, fresh acidity and a long savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour ahead. It suits grilled and roast red meats and game.