Abel Mendoza ‘Selección Personal’ Tempranillo - Rioja, Spain
Elegant, concentrated and deeply Rioja in character, ‘Selección Personal’ is one of Abel Mendoza’s most refined Tempranillo bottlings, chosen from the best parcel available in each vintage. It opens with dark cherry, blackberry and plum, layered with violet, liquorice, cedar, spice and a subtle balsamic-mineral edge. The palate is medium to full-bodied and beautifully textured, with polished tannins, fresh acidity and a savoury depth that feels serious without becoming heavy. There’s a lovely balance between ripe fruit, old-vine concentration and Rioja freshness, finishing long, smooth and gently earthy.
Made from 100% Tempranillo, this cuvée comes from a carefully selected vineyard site, with recent vintages often drawn from Marrate-El Bardallo in Labastida - one of Mendoza’s preferred sources for high-end wines. The grapes are fermented with indigenous yeasts, followed by malolactic fermentation in concrete and ageing in French oak barrels for around a year, giving the wine structure and polish while keeping the fruit and terroir firmly in focus.
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Style: Red – Medium to full-bodied, structured, refined Rioja
Drink Window: Now – 10+ years
Perfect For: Roast lamb, Iberian ham, grilled meats, truffle dishes, aged cheeses
A beautifully composed Rioja from one of the region’s great small producers - silky, savoury and quietly powerful, with real old-vine depth beneath the polish.
