Abel Mendoza, Viura, DOCa Rioja, Spain, 2022

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

Calcareous clay soils, grapes from different plots. From old vines, over 30 years, grown in San Vicente de La Sonsierra.

Winemaking

Temperature controlled fermentation in new French Oak barrels and 4 1/2 months on its fine lees.

Oak Ageing

Time: 5 Months
Type: French
% wine oaked: 100
% new oak: 100

Tasting Note

Straw yellow. Intense aromas, floral, very perfumed, with good fruit expression in the foreground, and well integrated wood notes of balsamic and dried grass. In the mouth it has superb acidity with a bright, smooth, silky and pleasant finish.

Food Matching

Cheese, Fish and Foie Gras

Awards

Tim Atkin Rioja 2024 Special Report 94 Points
Abel Mendoza's Viura is a textbook example of the grape, showing just how good it can be if the vines are old. This uses building blocks from 14 parcels in three different villages, and has delicious extract, focus and concentration. Fermented in new French oak, with some added texture from bâtonnage, it has aniseed and wild flower aromas and flavours of lemon and greengage. 94 Points, TA, 2024.
Decanters Rioja Guide 2024 95 Points
Very much a pioneer of Rioja's small producer-led turn to terroir, Abel Mendoza continues to impress with whites as much as red wines, not least in this always-terrific 100% Viura, which is aged for five months in new French oak to bring a touch of blossom - scented honey weightiness to a wine of great depth and verve. The palate is filled with juicy and pithy lemon, alongside fennel and fleshier stone fruit. 95 Points, DW, 2024
Decanter White Rioja Panel Tasting 94 Points
Alluring aromas of white flowers, with a touch of spice and leesy oak. Powerful and weighty in a plump style. Restrained lemon and lime fruit, spicy and full of complexity. 94 Points, 2024.