Abadía Retuerta Pago Valdebellón 2015 Magnum

The Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Pago Valdebellón feels quite ripe, and there is a notable absence of green aromas, leaning more toward paprika or roasted morrón peppers (a descriptor I sometimes hear in Chile). It's varietal with a Mediterranean touch, and the palate is velvety, with noble tannins, round and lush. With time in the glass, it turns more balsamic, with some minty notes and hints of camphor. 9,244 bottles, 400 magnums and 20 double magnums were filled in May 2017. It's been nicely polished by one year in bottle and has the components and balance to age nicely in bottle.

A lot of charred-wood and bitter-chocolate character from the oak, but there are plenty of ripe blackcurrants behind it, showing much better on the palate than the nose. Quite serious tannins at the finish. Drink or hold.