Abel Mendoza, Jarrarte Tinto Joven, DOCa Rioja, Spain, 2023

Producer Profile

Modest, passionate and in no small part obsessive, Abel Mendoza and Maite Fernández have been making understated wines from their old vine vineyards, high up in the Cantabrian mountains near San Vicente de la Sonsierra since the late 80s.

His intimate knowledge of the diverse terroirs in this spectacular part of Rioja is enthralling, and every barrel tasted reveals startling provenance and true character of the vintage. Abel doesn’t make wines that flatter, they don’t speak of oak regimes, but rather of the quality of his fruit, expressed in its most honest form.

Viticulture

Sourced from some of Abel's 18 hectares of old vineyards that are cultivated organically on the edge of the Ebro valley, the terrain is rugged and the soils are made up of clay, marl, and fine sandstones.

Winemaking

This wine was made using carbonic maceration. The must is then fermented at controlled temperature in cement tanks.

Oak Ageing

No oak ageing

Tasting Note

A lively and young wine marked by its explosion of flavours. This stands out from other young Rioja wines, showing a different personality. Lively and fruity, it perfectly reveals the quality of the grapes, playing a magnificent symphony of colour, aroma and flavour.

Food Matching

Grilled red meat, spicy cuisine, pasta with meat, pizza