Under the title ‘The revival of a noble tradition’, the author tastes and compiles a selection of rancio wines from the Roussillon and Catalonia regions, drawing attention to the potential of these dry, oxidative wines that bear testimony to the historical significance of a few barrels rescued from obscurity.
This Catalonia wine selection includes the Abadal Sagristia rancio wines collection from the Abadal bodega: “accurately inventoried treasures from a heritage of rancio wines kept in the Masia Roqueta underground cellar since the beginning of the 20th century, inventoried and identified with precision to enhance their value”. Similarly, the author also remarks on, “their subtlety and affability, along with a unique structure compared to other Catalonian rancio wines”.
In the category known as “initiation rancios” – according to the author ideal for slowly becoming acquainted with the world of rancios – Abadal Sagristia C-1 is one of two highest scoring wines, with 93/100 points. The wine is noted for its “elegance”, as well as “a very refined, aromatic proposal and nuances that last through to a lingering finish”.
For the Rancios defined by the author as “confirmed rancio wines”, with more extreme sensations, Abadal Sagristia R-2 scores 95/100, among the four most highly rated. Described as a “revelation”, he notes that it comes from a single chestnut barrel, is aged for over 60 years and also has “depth and character”.
