# Arzuaga Selección Especial (2021)

- **Producer:** Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Tempranillo
- **Region:** Castilla y León, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.5%
- **Average price:** €25
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** tomato, dill, black plum, dried fruit, ripe fruit, black cherry, cedar, coffee, chocolate, cloves, vanilla, leather, tobacco, forest floor, earth

## About this wine

Arzuaga Selección Especial is a red wine from the Ribera del Duero DO in Spain, produced by Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro. The winery is part of the expansive La Planta estate, which is a significant wine tourism destination, featuring a five-star hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant. Founded in the 1990s by Florentino Arzuaga, the estate is now managed by his children, Ignacio and Amaya. The vineyards are located at high altitudes, contributing to the character of the wines. The estate itself is known for its natural surroundings, including wildlife and ancient trees, reflecting a holistic approach to the land.

## Interesting facts

- The Arzuaga estate, La Planta, is home to deer, wild boar, and a thousand-year-old holm oak.
- The winery is part of a larger complex that includes a five-star spa hotel.
- The estate's vineyards are situated at elevations up to 920 meters.
- Some vineyards on the estate have been farmed organically since 2018.

## Food pairing

The robust structure and firm tannins of this Ribera del Duero wine are ideal for pairing with protein-rich dishes. The tannins bind with the proteins in meat, softening the wine and cleansing the palate. The wine's inherent fruitiness and potential oak notes can complement the savory and earthy flavors of roasted meats and game.

## Wine making process

Bodegas Arzuaga Navarro focuses on producing high-quality red wines, primarily from Tempranillo, grown on their estate vineyards in Ribera del Duero. Key winemaking techniques involve careful grape selection from high-altitude sites, controlled fermentation to manage extraction and character, and aging in oak barrels to develop complexity and structure. Some vineyards on the estate are farmed using organic practices. The winery's approach emphasizes expressing the unique terroir of their land.