Abel Mendoza ‘Jarrarte’ Old Vine Tempranillo - Rioja, Spain
Classic, savoury and beautifully balanced, ‘Jarrarte’ Old Vine Tempranillo shows Abel Mendoza’s more structured side while keeping the freshness and energy that make his wines so appealing. It opens with cherry, plum and blackcurrant, layered with cocoa, liquorice, balsamic notes, dried herbs and a subtle mineral edge. The palate is dry, supple and well built, with ripe fruit, pleasant tannic grip and a smooth, velvety texture, finishing with a savoury Rioja warmth and a lingering sense of spice and earth.
Made from 100% Tempranillo grown around San Vicente de la Sonsierra in Rioja Alta, this cuvée comes from older estate vineyards and is made with a focus on balance rather than heavy extraction. The fruit is fermented to preserve freshness and structure, then aged in oak to bring polish, spice and depth while keeping the wine’s red-fruited, balsamic character intact. It sits in a lovely middle ground: more serious and textured than the young carbonic Jarrarte, but still generous, approachable and unmistakably Rioja.
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Style: Red – Medium to full-bodied, savoury, structured Rioja
Drink Window: Now – 8+ years
Perfect For: Roast lamb, grilled meats, Iberian ham, mushroom dishes, aged cheeses
A beautifully honest old-vine Rioja - silky, savoury and quietly polished, with enough freshness to keep every glass inviting.
