Enrique Mendoza Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2025
Vintage
2025
Grape varieties
Chardonnay
Alcohol content
12,5% vol% Vol.
Temperature
9-12°C
Volume
75cl
Region
Alicante
Wine type
White
“Barrel-fermented Chardonnay from the El Chaconero estate in Villena. Tropical fruit, toasty oak and a long, harmonious finish from DO Alicante.”
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Nose
An inviting bouquet of green apple, hay and ripe tropical fruit — banana and pineapple — evolving into hazelnut and subtle notes of toasted bread and pastry, hallmarks of barrel fermentation in French Allier oak.
Palate
Full-bodied and mouthcoating with a characteristic roundness and gentle textural richness. Crisp acidity provides excellent backbone, balancing the oak influence and the wine's natural Mediterranean warmth for a structured, food-friendly mouthfeel.
Finish
Long and harmonious finish with lingering warmth, the tropical fruit and toasty oak notes persisting gracefully on the palate.
The Enrique Mendoza Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2025 stands as one of the most compelling white wines to emerge from Denominación de Origen Alicante, crafted by the acclaimed Bodegas Enrique Mendoza from Chardonnay grapes grown on the historic El Chaconero estate in Villena. For wine enthusiasts looking to buy premium Spanish Chardonnay online, this is a bottle that genuinely rewards attention.
The vineyard sits at elevations exceeding 600 metres above sea level on calcareous soils in the Vinalopó subzone, where warm Mediterranean days and cool nights allow for a slow, flavour-building ripening season. The must undergoes full fermentation in French Allier oak barrels at low temperature — a deliberate winemaking choice that weaves oak influence into the wine's very structure rather than imposing it on top. This approach has been a hallmark of winemaker Pepe Mendoza since the estate first pioneered international varieties in the region.
On the nose, the wine opens with inviting aromas of green apple, hay and ripe tropical fruit — banana and pineapple — layered with hazelnut and delicate notes of toasted bread and pastry that speak to its barrel fermentation. The palate is full-bodied and mouthcoating, with a characteristic roundness and subtle textural richness balanced by a refreshing line of acidity that keeps the wine lively and food-friendly. The finish is long and harmonious, with a lingering warmth that reflects both the Mediterranean terroir and the quality of the Allier oak.
This barrel-fermented Chardonnay from Alicante is a natural partner for grilled fish, shellfish, creamy risotto and soft-rind cheeses. It also shows beautifully alongside lightly spiced white meat dishes. Those seeking the best white wine from Alicante will find an excellent benchmark here.
Bodegas Enrique Mendoza, an inductee of the prestigious Grandes Pagos de España and a long-standing pioneer of quality winemaking on Spain's southeastern coast, delivers with this Chardonnay a wine of genuine class and regional character. Available with European delivery through Mercado 46.
Perfect Pairing
The Winery
Founded in 1989
Bodegas Enrique Mendoza is a family winery located in Alfaz del Pi, in the heart of the Alicante province, with roots stretching back to the late 1970s, when Enrique Mendoza planted his first 2,000 Moscatel de Alejandría vines for family consumption. Over the following decade, his passion for wine grew steadily until the winery was formally established as a company in 1989. Today, the project is led by his son Julián Mendoza, who continues the family legacy with the same dedication and precision. The winery's philosophy is built on the balance between tradition and innovation, with a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. Vineyards are cultivated without herbicides or insecticides, reflecting a deep respect for the Mediterranean landscape and a desire to honestly express the Alicante terroir. Operating under the D.O. Alicante designation, the winery runs two complementary facilities: the main cellar in Alfaz del Pi, home to 4.5 hectares of Moscatel de Alejandría and an ageing room with 1,400 French and American oak barrels; and Finca Chaconero in Villena, where grapes from 80 hectares of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Petit Verdot, Syrah, and Monastrell are vinified with state-of-the-art technology. Enrique Mendoza was a pioneer in introducing international varieties to the region while never abandoning the native Monastrell grape, giving the range a distinctive and authentically Mediterranean character. The winery's flagship wines — Santa Rosa, Estrecho, and Shiraz — have earned outstanding recognition: the Guía Proensa 2022 awarded over 90 points to five references, with Santa Rosa 2018 reaching an exceptional 96 points. The winery has also been inducted into Grandes Pagos de España, an honour reserved for producers whose wines reflect the unique identity of a specific terroir. A true benchmark of expressive Mediterranean fine wine.
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