ABEL MENDOZA, SELECCIÓN PERSONAL, DOCA RIOJA, SPAIN, 2016

A very classy and compelling wine. Deeply coloured with a pure, intense bouquet of crushed fruits, spice and oak. Elegant oak aging enhances the wine’s complexity and class.

Food Pairing

White meat, Ibérico ham, pork sausage, pasta with tomato sauce and mushrooms.

Producer Profile

Modest and passionate about his vineyards, Abel and his wife Maite have been making understated wines in San Vicente since 1988.

Lying in the shadow of the Sierra Cantabria, Abel has vineyards in the finest parts of the Alavesa. His knowledge and understanding of the soils is enthralling and to taste in his cellar can be an education on the effects different soils have in different years. He wants only to express the fruit and the soil and unlike many Riojans, he leaves it more or less at that. He does not want to stamp the wines with any particular style or mark of his own other than his respect for the very natural quality of the grapes and for the magical places that they were grown.

Viticulture

For two generations Abel Mendoza's family has been farming vineyards in Rioja which are scattered throughout the commune of San Vicente de la Sonsierra (towards the border of Rioja Alta and Alavesa). More than anything in the world, Abel cares for his vineyards, each plot cared for independently and harvest done entirely by hand. The grapes planted are all indigenous including malvasia (a variety widely planted in Rioja in the 18th century), viura, tempranillo and graciano.

Winemaking

Fermentation is made in steel tanks and after the malolactic fermentation the wine is matured in new french barrels for 13 months.

Oak Treatment

Time: 13 Months

Type: French 225l Barrels

% wine oaked: 100

% new oak: 100

Technical Details

Varieties:Tempranillo 100%

ABV: 14.5%

Closure: Natural cork

Colour: Red

Style: Still wine

Case Size: 6 x 75cl

4 Star Vivino Rating