Winemaker Notes
This Mencia blend has flavors of bright, fresh red fruit with a herbal lift and an earthy, mineral finish.
Pairs well with white meats and spicy dishes.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2022 LaLama is 85% Mencía with other red varieties from Ribeira Sacra. This aged for 12 months in 300-liter barrels and foudres. Slightly concentrated, it offers pure fruit and floral aromas, including cherry, plum, violet and a hint of blackberry. This is juicy, intense and plush in texture, with light grip that adds structure and depth. The 2022 is a modern style with a delicate Mencía core.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The red 2022 Lalama has a primary nose of bright berry fruit, leaves and a touch of honey and beeswax, with a sleek palate and a soft mouthfeel that makes it moreish and very easy to drink. In the warm 2022 vintage, it achieved higher ripeness, 13.6% alcohol, with a pH of 3.6 and five grams of acidity. It's round and has polished tannins. 77,750 bottles and 540 magnums produced. It was bottled in August 2024 after 17 months in oak containers of different sizes, but the oak is very integrated.
Rating: 92+
Primarily found in the Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras regions of Spain and in the Dão of Portugal (where it is called Jaen), Mencia is an early ripening, low acid grape that can produce wines of great concentration, complexity and ageability. And yet Mencia once suffered from a poor reputation and deemed capable of producing simple and light red wines. Post-phylloxera growers would grow this variety on low, fertile plains, which produced high yields and uncomplicated finished wines. Somm Secret—The recent rediscovery of the ancient, abandoned vines planted on rugged hillsides of deep schist has unveiled the potential of Mencia and added discredit to its old reputation.
Located in the center of the Galician region in northern Spain, the Ribeira Sacra is one of Spain's most beautiful vineyard areas with stunningly breathtaking views. Vines are planted in the steep valleys and precipitous gorges of the Rivers Miño and Sil that wind through Galicia's lush green countryside. The Ribeira Sacra region has similar dramatic landscapes as the Mosel or Douro Valleys, but a more sparse population and a tranquility unmatched. The region gained official DO status in 1996.
Both white wine and red wine production are dominated by blends of local Galician grapes, with varietal wines being the exception. Today, while the region has seen some consolidation and modern stainless-steel equipment is widespread, winemaking remains artisanal. This reflects the tiny landholdings and farmhouse wineries, along with a traditional and predominantly organic approach to viticulture. With such low yields and often minuscule production levels, these wines are highly sought-after and can be difficult to find on the export market.
Ribeira Sacra DO’s principal white grape varieties tend to be highly fragrant and include Albariño, Doña Blanca, Godello, Loureira, Torrontés and Treixadura. Principal red grape varieties here include Mencía, Brancellao, Merenzao, Caiño, Sousón and Tempranillo.