MundoVino Portfolio Book

Bodegas Enrique Mendoza DO Alicante (Valencia), Spain

Alicante native Enrique Mendoza founded Bodegas Enrique Mendoza in 1989; today it is run by his sons José (“Pepe”) and Julián. Pepe is responsible for vineyard management and winemaking, while Julián looks after the commercial side of the company. The winery is located near the town of Alfàs del Pi, about forty-five miles from the city of Alicante, where Monastrell has traditionally reigned as the area’s dominant. Pepe seeks to attain grapes of the highest quality. He closely monitors the moisture content of his vineyards with the use of computerized sensors planted near the vines. This careful monitoring is part of his philosophy to put the vines under as much hydric stress as possible to ensure a small grape. By keeping the skin-to-flesh ratio very low, he can produce the highest-quality juice for his bottling. He ferments most of his wines in stainless steel and ages them in French oak. Owing to Enrique Mendoza’s acclaimed terroir -driven single-estate bottlings, the winery has been inducted into the Grandes Pagos de España organization for its dedication to “pago” winemaking. La Tremenda Merseguera-Chardonnay A stunning combination of the relatively obscure Spanish varietal, Merseguera and Chardonnay come together in this blend from Enrique Mendoza’s La Tremenda vineyard. Fermentation and aging are carried out in stainless steel tank to preserve the fruitful essence of both varietals, leading to a clean and bright wine with green reflections and notes of green apple, straw and chamomile that radiate on the nose. Spirited green-apple flavors with a subtle saline nuance continue on to the palate. Crisp and dry with a pleasurable finish.

La Tremenda Monastrell This wine is 100 percent Monastrell from Enrique Mendoza’s twenty-five-year-old La Tremenda vineyard. The vineyard’s sand and limestone soil, minimal irrigation, and 2,000-foot altitude create a wine unmatched in elegance. It is aged for six months in French oak between two and three years old. The resulting wine features Mediterranean aromas of red fruit, rosemary, and balsam. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with silky tannins and a long, complex finish. 2014: 92 WA | 2012: 91+ WA, 90 WE | 2011: 91 Decanter | 2009: The New York Times Best of Tasting & Best Value

Estrecho Monastrell This flavorful red is named for the vineyard from which it is sourced, El Estrecho de Pipa (the Strait of the Pipe). The alluvial soils here have a reputation for creating red wines with a streak of slatey minerality. Made entirely from mature, hand-harvested Monastrell, the wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged for twelve months in French oak. Bright ruby-red, Estrecho shows attractive aromas of red cherry, plum, and wet slate. On the palate, it has refreshing acidity and bright fruit flavors. 2014: 94 WA | 2012: 93 WA | 2011: 92 WA, 90 WE | 2010: 92 WA, 91 WE | 2007: 91 WS | 2006: 90 WA

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WINES OF SPAIN