Abel Mendoza Tempranillo Grano a Grano 2021

The 2021 Tempranillo Grano A Grano was produced with hand-destemmed grapes from 70+-year-old vines from three plots—Sant Lucía (planted in 1932) and two in El Bardallo—that fermented in a 1,200-liter stainless steel tank with indigenous yeasts and matured in French oak barrels, 80% 500-liter and the rest 225-liter barrels, for 18 months. The grapes ripened thoroughly in 2021, developing full aromas and flavors, and the wine finished fermenting at 14.5% alcohol with a pH of 3.63 and 5.13 grams of acidity. It is perfumed, floral, showy and extroverted, very attractive and nuanced. The palate is velvety, with very fine tannins that make it textured, chalky, tasty and almost salty, with a long, dry and serious finish. This is a superb vintage for this wine. It should age effortlessly in bottle. 1,600 bottles were filled in May 2023. - Luis Gutiérrez.