Merlot and Monastrell from small lots selected from the Quebradas Valley vineyard from Finca el Chaconero which is at the foot of the mount Virgen en Villena.
The region of Alicante is located in Southeastern Spain, some 100 miles south of Valencia. Although many of the vineyards in the zone are within a few kilometres of the sea around the large city of Alicante, most of the parcels are further inland. As with many other Spanish wine regions were cultivated here by the Romans after being planted originally by the Phoenicians. Now, the zone comprises just over 15,000 hectares, about one fifth the size as it was pre-phyloxera.
Created in 1989, Bodegas Enrique Mendoza was established by the man of the same name in zone of Alicante, some 70 kilometres from the city of Alicante. Now, Pepe Mendoza, Enrique's son, has taken over the winemaking responsibilities from his father and has become quite known for his use of newer varietals in the zone instead of the traditional Monastrell.
Bodega Enrique Mendoza
Alicante benefits from a Mediterranean climate, with warm days and nights during the summer months. However, parcels in the extreme western zones of the region are affected by a more continental climate, with hot dry winds. Rainfall is very slow (200-300 litres/meter squared per year). The soil contains a high limestone content, with only small amounts of clay. As a result, it is not very fertile and yields are low. With careful, attention, this has led to some extraordinary result in the bottle.
Pepe Mendoza's credo is simply to put the vines under as much hydro stress as possible (he monitors moisture levels constantly) to ensure a very small grape. His goal is to keep the skin to flesh ratio quite small in order to produce higher quality for his bottling. Most of the wines are aged in French oak (he prefers Allier barrels), although most are fermented first in tank. Macerations are long (up to 28 days) and varietals are vinified separately.
As with many of the parcels of Alicante, the vineyards of Enrique Mendoza lie at an average of 400 meters altitude, with some parcels over 600 meters. "New" varietals to the zone have been planted in recent years, and the bodega is taking full advantage of their potential. Cabernet Sauvignon grows quite well here, and Merlot has been used quite effective with it to produce wines with great complexity of fruit and ageing potential.
MERLOT MONASTRELL CRIANZA
Varietals
Merlot and Monastrell from small lots selected from the Quebradas Valley vineyard from Finca el Chaconero which is at the foot of the mount Virgen en Villena.
Viticulture
Our Merlot is grown on well-drained, fresh sandy-loam soils, pruned in doblet-guyot style to control and spare bunches and delay ripening. The Monastrell is on open sandy soil, dry and rigorous, bush vine and with high density of plants per hectare.
These grapes are grown according to strict sustainable environmental practice.
Winemaking and cellaring
The grapes are fermented in small stainless steel tanks at low temperatures (25ºC), malolactic in barrel and the wine is aged for 11 months in French Allier and American Oregon barrels.
Due to its artisanal style, with age the wine can throw a sediment.
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