D.O. Alicante, Spain
The La Tremanda is an excellent example of what the Spanish are doing very well. Fleshy, juicy, drink now styles of wine that are just perfect with their food.
Enrique Mendoza is a producer based in the DO region of Alicante. Located a few hours south of Cataluña, along Spain’s East coast. It encompasses 37,000 acres divided into two sub-regions. There is the coastal strip, right on the Mediterranean; however the best vineyards and producers are based an hour’s drive inland. This part of Alicante is high altitude (up to 1000m) with very dry, poor soils and a climate that is hot by day and freezing by night. Just the type of extreme viticulture perfectly suited to the Monastrell grape variety.
Monastrell is better known in Australia as Mourvèdreor Mataro and very popular in the Barossa and their GSM blends.
‘La Tremenda’ is the name of the single vineyard supplying organic grown fruit from 30 year old bush vines at an altitude of 600 m. These vines are not grown on the trellising system we normally associate with viticulture, so instead of nice neat rows you get bushes. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and aged for 6 months in French and American oak, in a drink now style.
On the nose the dark fruits are saturated with lovely floral notes. It’s a delicious wine with a wonderful mouth feel. An opulent wine with a palate that is just plush, with a mineral freshness that is so drinkable. It’s dark, soft and satisfying but never heavy, with a surprising length and a fresh spicy exit. An outstanding wine!