2012 Abel Mendoza Jarrarte Joven Tinto Rioja

This is what the Mendozas started out making when they had little money for investment and not much access to fruit. Like a lot of recent entrants to the Rioja market this got them noticed. It is Tempranillo, made with carbonic maceration and without oak. Purists will question if this is Rioja at all, but hedonists will lay back and enjoy the sybaritic hit of intense fruit. (CW 12/02/2014)