Pilgrim Mencia Crianza 2012
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This red has depth and balance, with ripe flavors of plum and blackberry accented by licorice, black olive and dark chocolate notes. Firm tannins and balsamic acidity lend structure to the sleek, velvety texture. Focused and harmonious. Drink now through 2022.
The vineyard in El Bierzo is planted mostly to bush vines on semi-terraced and sharp slopes of the mountains at an altitude of 1,640-2,297 feet, in soils consisting of quartzite and slate. Vine density varies between 1400 to 2800 in a climate that has Mediterranean and Atlantic influences. Average rainfall is 15 to 27 inches annually. Mencia is the chief variety grown there; a grape that generates powerful wines with marked mineral character. Other varieties like the Garnacha tintorera, Godello and Doña Blanca contribute to the expression and identity of the wines of the Bierzo.
The winery is owned by the Garcia Rodriguez family with Josep Serra and Olga Verde overseeing the oenology and viticultural aspects.
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.
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.