2018 Acon Reserva Ribera del Duero 12x750ml

About the Wine

Abadía de Acón’s wines are not for the faint of heart—they are bold, untamed, and unapologetically powerful.

Forget the run-of-the-mill, grocery store Riberas that barely register on your palate. Abadía de Acón is for the true connoisseur, the wine lover who knows the difference between mass-produced and genuine quality. The winery rivals the giants of Ribera del Duero—producing wines of equal intensity and power, but without the absurd price tag.

The Carrasco brothers—José Antonio and Carlos—are obsessively meticulous about every detail, tending to their vineyards with the care that large industrial wineries can only dream of. Their grapes, carefully handpicked and selected, are a true reflection of the land’s potential, nurtured in the prime soils of Castrillo de la Vega.

Abadía de Acón is a hidden gem in Ribera del Duero. Carved into the very bones of Castrillo de la Vega, its original cellar—one of the largest and most historic—stands as a symbol of unwavering tradition and revolutionary innovation. The Carrasco family’s roots in Ribera del Duero run so deep they could be mistaken for the foundations of the land itself. For centuries, this family has cultivated excellence, blending ancient methods with cutting-edge technology to craft wines that speak with unmistakable authority on the world stage.

At the helm of this extraordinary winery are the Carrasco brothers—José Antonio, Carlos, and José Antonio Jr.—who lead Abadía de Acón with a fierce dedication passed down from their grandfather, Norberto Carrasco. It was Norberto who, in 1953, revolutionized the family’s approach by introducing concrete vats to the cellar, creating wines that were as graceful as they were bold. This is Ribera del Duero at its finest.

At a wine event in Barcelona, Greg Martellotto, founder of One Vine Wines and a wine expert with over 25 years of experience, discovered Abadía de Acón. Immediately captivated by the wines’ bold, soulful character, he knew they were something extraordinary. Driven by his passion for sharing exceptional wines, Greg decided to import these unique Ribera del Duero gems, bringing them directly to you!

Aging: 18 months in French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes

85% Tempranillo, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. For lovers of complex, mature wines with a distinct oak presence, this one’s for you. The blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 18 months in new Bordeaux barrels, creates a wine with incredible depth, power, and lasting length. It’s bold yet refined—perfect for those who appreciate a wine that truly makes a statement.

Reviews

Dark ruby in the glass, this wine has a bouquet of black currant, caramel and a hint of earth. A framework of robust tannins supports black cherry, Mission fig, cocoa powder, violet and licorice flavors. The long-lasting finish is marked by notes of dark chocolate and toffee. ~93 Wine Enthusiast

Chocolate and a hint of vanilla to the blueberries and violets. Juicy and flavorful on the palate with a full body and tight, fine-grained tannins growing in a long, tight finish. Drink or hold. ~92 James Suckling