Can't say that I have a great deal of familiarity with Mencia or the other wines of Galicia, but, having tasted this wine, am prepared to order more. I agree with all of THLWG's (last posted) comments of 8/4/2009, with all of the piquant flavors noted. Tasted this with a Yucatecan dish where habanero chiles were in abundance. The chiles waned in comparison to this wine. Now my only callenge is to try to find more. Wish me luck.
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Not as stinky as the last bottle and, really, why the hell did I open it? Well, I'll tell you why. I made Spanish bean soup, garbanzos and chorizo, porky delight, and I needed something sturdy enough for all that (it didn't have to be Spanish, but I thought that might be nice all the same). This wasn't perfect--something a bit more forward might have been the thing, but it worked fine. A bit leaner than I remembered, but still dark and fresh. I should have held this one, I think.
Update: I was right. I should have held. Two days in the fridge. And on day three, this wine is smooth, balanced, less spare, with a decent finish, a richer nose of dark berries, and a beautiful high thread-count palate.
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I have a real fondness for both Ribeira Sacra and the Mencia grape, especially in its cheaper, less manipulated expressions. This one is deeper, richer, more "Cab Franc," perhaps, and slightly less stony-minerality than the Venturas. It's peppery and dark, but still very fresh. And, while it's not really noticeable, I think the touch of oak and other woods might help frame it in a way that distinguishes it from some of those stainless-treated versions of this grape. It's not so shiny and smooth, but equally delicious, especially after the stink blows off and it opens up--perhaps an hour in glass.
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3/21/2012 - ticktock wrote: 89 Points
Rustic and tasty. Good as a cocktail and good with big spicy meats. I liked and would buy again.
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2/21/2010 - jpinsb wrote: 91 Points
Can't say that I have a great deal of familiarity with Mencia or the other wines of Galicia, but, having tasted this wine, am prepared to order more. I agree with all of THLWG's (last posted) comments of 8/4/2009, with all of the piquant flavors noted. Tasted this with a Yucatecan dish where habanero chiles were in abundance. The chiles waned in comparison to this wine. Now my only callenge is to try to find more. Wish me luck.
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8/4/2009 - TLHWG wrote: 92 Points
Popped and poured: pomegranate and cranberry red fruit up front, good tannins, black tea finish. Medium to light bodied. Best Mencia I've ever tasted.
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3/29/2009 - Junior wrote:
Not as stinky as the last bottle and, really, why the hell did I open it? Well, I'll tell you why. I made Spanish bean soup, garbanzos and chorizo, porky delight, and I needed something sturdy enough for all that (it didn't have to be Spanish, but I thought that might be nice all the same). This wasn't perfect--something a bit more forward might have been the thing, but it worked fine. A bit leaner than I remembered, but still dark and fresh. I should have held this one, I think.
Update: I was right. I should have held. Two days in the fridge. And on day three, this wine is smooth, balanced, less spare, with a decent finish, a richer nose of dark berries, and a beautiful high thread-count palate.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/13/2009 - Junior wrote:
I have a real fondness for both Ribeira Sacra and the Mencia grape, especially in its cheaper, less manipulated expressions. This one is deeper, richer, more "Cab Franc," perhaps, and slightly less stony-minerality than the Venturas. It's peppery and dark, but still very fresh. And, while it's not really noticeable, I think the touch of oak and other woods might help frame it in a way that distinguishes it from some of those stainless-treated versions of this grape. It's not so shiny and smooth, but equally delicious, especially after the stink blows off and it opens up--perhaps an hour in glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment