Enrique Mendoza, D.O. Alicante
D.O. Alicante encompasses 37,000 acres divided into two sub-regions in Alicante province: there is a coastal strip, right on the Mediterranean, the best product of which is Moscatel del Mar. The Monastrell part is inland an hour or so. This part of Alicante is high altitude (up to 1000m), very dry poor soils, hot by day, freezing by night – extreme viticulture and perfectly suited to Monastrell. Along with adjacent Yecla (and to an extent the lesser Jumilla further inland), this is the home of the variety, from which it spread around the Mediterranean and into France.
Enrique Mendoza is the family patriarch’s name, the winemaker is Pepe Mendoza and the business is run by his brother Julian. Bodegas Enrique Mendoza produce Moscatels del Mar as well as Monastrell, but is in fact most concerned with growing French varieties in Spain.
| Wine | Region | RRP | Qty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alicante |
$30.00 |
12 |
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Dried dates and figs, honey, rosemary, lavender, bay and dried animal hide, angelica and licorice. Guess it’s a monastrell?! Gently balsamic redwood, road-kill and the road on which it landed - the tar of Monastrell. It has cherry and toffee apple, lifted over dark soil and black rock aromas. It’s a perfect varietal example, yes, but it is delicious wine first and foremost, dark, soft and satisfying, but never heavy, with nice lift, surprising length and a fresh spicy exit. ‘La Tremenda’ is the single-vineyard name. |
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Alicante |
$80.00 |
12 |
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‘Estrecho’ (think stretch, straight or saddle) is a single vineyard between the base of two nearby mountains. Lavender and tar, key varietal indicators of Monastrell, really show on the nose, with blackberry, and beautifully harmonised fine oak. Date and fig are succulent but not sweet in mouth with great depth, delicate and formed on full, soft and long fruit tannins of the highest order. its sweet-seeming dryness is paradoxical, and gorgeous. instead of dry shutdown, it releases gently towards the back and makes you want to go back for more and more (and more ...). Satisfying and entrancing. |
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