A fabulous new wine from Alicante. A blend of 70& Monastrell, 25% Giró de Abargues & 5% Alicante Bouschet; Giró is what seems to be the local version of Garnacha, its from old vines and Pepe Mendoza now has 12 hectares planted. Giró is also planted in Mallorca and Sardinia.
Produced from a fusion of two sub-zones: Monastrell and Alicante Bouschet from Villena, Pinoso and Alto Vinalopó and Giró de Abargues from La Marina which are at approx 500 and 300 meters where the average age of the vines is 75 and 57 years. Dry irrigated for bush vines and a little water for trellised vines. Organically farmed but not certified. Giró is planted on ferric clay soils and Monastrell, Alicante Bouschet on sandy-loam soils.
Very simple vinification where they believe less is more. Each variety is harvested separately at perfect maturity and fermented in small stainless steel tanks. The musts ferment freely with their own yeasts, without enzymes, nothing added. The tanks are filled with very few pressed grapes and with a small percentage of stems, around 10%. The macerations are very soft, so as not to harden the wine. Soft pressing with a little paper filtration. No clarification nor cold treatment.
Aromas of bouquet garnier, pine, rosemary, rosemary flower, orange peel, reminiscent of the shrubs of the Mediterranean hills and mountains. The palate is full, round and well balanced with red berry fruits- its quite juicy. I like it served slightly cool and its a very food friendly style- from Paella to steak work well.
