Abel Mendoza Malvasía 2022

The 2022 Malvasía (Riojana) is a varietal white from a very dry year and the warmest they can remember. It fermented in French oak barrels, where the wine matured with fine lees and periodic bâtonnage for five months. All the white varietal bottlings are very young, and at that early age, they are not easy to read, as they have a clean and elegant profile and are not super showy or aromatic. Even the Malvasía, which is completely unrelated to the aromatic Malvasía varieties from the Mediterranean (it's the more neutral Alarije or Subirat Parent), is subtle and a little shy. But it has floral nuances of white flowers, some white fruit and herbs. The palate is velvety and soft, with clean flavors and a long, dry finish. It has 14% alcohol, a pH of 3.26 and moderate acidity (5.17 grams). 3,416 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2023.