Enrique Mendoza Santa Rosa 2022

Enrique Mendoza Santa Rosa is a red from the D.O. Alicante, made by the Enrique Mendoza winery from its estate vineyards in Chaconero, near Villena. It blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and the native Monastrell, a Bordeaux-led mix adapted to the warm, dry inland Alicante climate, where altitude and cool nights help retain acidity and aromatic detail. The grapes are picked as whole berries and fermented in barrel with natural yeast at a controlled 28 degrees, with regular pumping over to extract colour, tannin and depth; fermenting in oak rather than tank gives a more seamless integration of fruit and wood from the start. The wine is then aged seventeen months in French Allier oak, whose tight grain and slow oxygen exchange build a firm, fine-grained structure and add cedar, vanilla and spice. The colour is a deep, dense ruby. The nose shows ripe cherry and plum over black pepper, tobacco, cocoa and a herbal, cedary note. The palate is full bodied and structured, with firm ripe tannin, fresh acidity and a long, oak-spiced finish at 14.5 per cent. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, decanted. It suits grilled beef, roast lamb and mature cheeses.