2019 Seleccion Personal Rioja
Abel Mendoza
San Vicente, Rioja
$59.99
- 100% Tempranillo
- Fruit is sorted, destemmed (but not crushed) and fermented in stainless steel tanks.
- Aged in concrete tanks for malolactic fermentation and then into French oak barriques for 12 - 13 months, depending on tasting
- 70 year-old vines from a terraced vineyard
Dark forest fruit, autumn leaves and orange peel in an admirably smooth scented wine. On the palate, ultra fine tannins and silky, dark red fruit impressions mingle with vanilla and light red berries. The mouthfeel is one of freshness and mellow structure. Beautifully balanced, the acidity produces a fresh and pleasant sensation on the finish.
Winemaking Notes
Abel and Maite have a plot of very old terraced vines next to the mountains, and the vineyard is roughly 70-ish years old. It was Abel’s selected plot in 1998, the first vintage of the wine. Nowadays, the wine is made from the best plot based on vintage variation. Usually it’s the same plot, but every now and then it varies. If the decision is to use another plot, the vineyards have to be at least 50 years old for this wine. They believe the “experience” of the vines makes for excellent quality fruit.
The fruit is sorted, destemmed (but not crushed) and fermented in stainless steel tanks. It then goes into concrete tanks for malolactic fermentation and then into 100% new French oak barrels for 12 - 13 months, depending on tasting.
