Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
A pure mencia from Bierzo that shows ripeness from the sweet black fruit, with touches of charcoal and herbs. Generous and round, with soft tannins and plenty of ripe fruit. It finishes off with a sharp, herbal note that might suggest mixed ripeness of the harvested fruit.
Beyond the usual suspects, there are hundreds of red grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines, while others are better suited for use as blending grapes. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles, offering much to be discovered by the curious wine lover. In particular, Portugal and Italy are known for having a multitude of unique varieties but they can really be found in any region.
One of the few northwestern Spanish regions with a focus on a red variety, Bierzo, part of Castilla y León, is home to the flowery and fruity Mencia grape. Mencia produces balanced and bright red wines full of strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate, baking spice, pepper and black licorice. The well-drained soils of Bierzo are slate and granite.