Medium ruby with developed aromas of raspberry blackberry black currant nutmeg, vanilla, briar, and violet. This wine has high alcohol medium tannins medium body and acidity. Developed flavors of blackberry, black currant, nutmeg, briar, fig and fruitcake. This wine has a medium finish and is a good wine that should be drunk now with no potential for aging.
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Cool blueberry with nice floral notes. Medium bodied with good acids and a nice crispness on the palate. Blueberry, crushed stones and a pretty good finish. Not fat or sweet at all, Still good on day 2. Stored at 55 degrees since release. Solid 90 points
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Bottle variation? First tasted early 2016. Undrinkable: horrible astringency with surgical gauze, iodine, and other medicinal tones. Islay from Hell soaked in raisins? Wanted to chuck the lot, but decided to wait until now. Afraid to fowl a decent stem, but after reading CT chose a nice Burgundy bowl. Pleasantly surprised, and like Islay it may grow on the novice. Fine wine? But far from ordinary: Good fruit and balance in a savory sweet n' sour package. Nice woody tones--lets hear for stems and seeds! Intriguing...wow...
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This is a bigger style Mencia. It’s mature but definitely not over the hill. It has a beautiful balance right now between fruits and tannins. We ate it with grilled shrimp and asparagus on a cool summer evening and loved it! For $13, we thought we won the lottery with this one!
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I found this revolting. It tastes like raisins and surgical gauze. I would have thought it was spoiled if others didn't say that it was supposed to taste like this.
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I bought this because it was described as soft and somewhat fruit driven. That fit the bill tonight, but it wasn't quite what I expected. On PnP there was a definite gamy note, and it had character, though fruit wasn't a big part of it. With time the game receded, the thin mid palate expanded nicely and the fruit grew. It's got an unusual taste I can't really place--tar? petrol?--that was a little off-putting at first, but now it's appealing enough that I'm having trouble corking it for tomorrow. Very much worth a try for a change from the usual.
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Needs a bit of time to open up, but once it's been breathing for ~30 minutes or more, it really blossoms. Smooth, lush, with some pleasant raisin sweetness.
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Pnp'd, this had a slow start with bright cherries on the nose but the pallet was thin. After 30-60 minutes of air this really evolved nicely with the fruit darkening and the mouthfeel becoming more plush. Really fun cellar defender.
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Vibrant nose on this- berries, particularly blackberry, and some subtle floral notes. Black cherry and pepper on the palate with a dusty mouthfeel and a long finish. Medium to high tannins. It was very tight at first- it needed about 30 minutes to open up. Overall, it was very enjoyable.
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This surely needed more air time as it was consumed at cellar temp, but as it warmed the spicy fruited nose came up nicely. Full of acid it was crisp and clean in the mouth a good with the fatty foods of the day. Mostly bright cherry fruit, but some nuttiness and spices in the background. A little disjointed so it may be going to sleep. I will try and hold my final bottle for 5 years to see how much Mencia changes after its full nap in the cellar. Great qpr wine, for sure.
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Thought was really quite good for a 12 dollar wine. Very clean, deep and rich, with peanuts and mint on the nose (no obvious oak) and dark fruits and spice in the mouth. We tasted this blind in a collection of unusual wines. Surprised to see the community average so low (86 at time of writing). When it's well-made, as it is here, mencia is cleaner and richer than Chinon but also has the potential to be as delicate as good Burgundy.
The nose is far better developed than it was the last time we had a bottle. We just got back from a week of wine tasting in Walla Walla and the Willamette, and this one would fare quite well in a tasting like those you do at a winery. Complex, rich, and paired VERY well with a spicy Moroccan curry-like dish. Could stand another year or so if you want to hold it - but not more than that.
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Solidly made red, with a fruit forward red and dark fruit profile. Plenty of acid and tannins to go the distance. I'm really curious to see how this ages. From all reports this stuff gets better in 10 years. Thanks periko for the encouragement to drink a bottle young to see if I enjoyed it. Like Burgundy, with a Spanish flare. I think this grape is a winner, when done properly.
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Our first experience with this grape. Popped & decanted via Vinturi. Fairly dark purple. Nose of eucalyptus, olive, black fruit, maybe a little mint. Palate adds cherry and cola (spruce?) flavor, also plum as the evening went on. Low to medium acidity, prominent furry tannins. Alcohol not exactly low at 13.5%, but certainly no heat. Overall effect is rustic, wild, would be great with peasant food like cassoulet or roasted root vegetables.
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Medium purple color; Concentrated nose of bright red fruit (raspberry, cherry), cola, some earthiness, and peppery spice. No hint of oak. Medium mouthfeel. Reminds me some heavier Beaujolais,Pinot, and Cab Franc. Very drinkable and complex at the same time, though it won't blow your mind. Medium acidity, medium-low tannins.
Valdeorras is NW of Spain in Galicia, climate is cool. 100% s-steel, no oak, 33-yr vines, .
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Quite young, and a little difficult to say what it's about, as the Mencia grape is somewhat unusual. But overall this is very enjoyable, and has a sharp focus to the fruit and minerality that really sets it apart. Very good value, and it will be interesting to see how this develops.
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Medium intensity purple color. Quite Beaujolais like. Light fragrant nose with berry character. Initial mouth feel a touch sweet, but balanced by long and supple tannins. My first Mencia. A decent eveyday wine bit nothng more.
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Deep red color, floral nose, lots of berries and cherry on the palate, average length finish - enjoyable. I had with a big salad of roasted chicken and greens but i can defintely see it going with pizza.
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Best pizza wine i've found yet. This really calls out for some strong flavored food to reign in its acidity. It was absolutely perfect with the pizza and even harmonious with the feta that my wife likes on our pies. Recommend this for any casual eating with strong flavored or tomato dominant food. The wine lost something of its allure when drunk alone.
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For the price and consumed as a mid-week wine, I'm starting to believe this wine really shines in its role. Bright berry flavors, and an attractive floral nose. A high amount of acidity really helps the wine cut through pasta served with several different sauces, including a red sauce and a pesto based sauce. If you want something profound, you'll need to open something else. If you want a food friendly wine that you won't spend any time second guessing, this is your thing. I'm going back for more.
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Berry nose with a hint of smoke and mushroom. Raspberry, cranberry, smoke and wet earth taste. Quite tart at first, but mellowed substantially on the second night. Medium finish that is sweet and smokey. Rather different than other Mencia wines I've experienced - almost in another ballpark. Goes well with food and would try it again with an appropriate meal.
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ok, but nothing memorable. Drank over 2 nights. Seemed a little better on the second night as the fruit was a little more muted and offered more mineral flavors.
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From 75cl. This ripe, relatively low-alcohol (13,5%) Mencia is completely unoaked, making it a very different drink from the likes of Petalos (or, for that matter, any other Spanish red wine I can remember having tasted). Not sure I like the result, though. Attractive if reticent crushed blueberry and fresh-ground light-roast coffee powder scent; fresh, squeaky tannic entry; the tannins grow on the finish leaving a very furry tongue. Either something dramatic will happen to this juice over the next year or two, or I have a different wine in my glass than the A Portela which was rated 93PP in Wine Advocate. 86P(?)
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1/27/2022 - partymonk wrote: 89 Points
red/bricking in color. nose- stewed/dried red fruit, faded fruit. palate- smokey, dried fruit, light tannins, bit bitter, herbal-medicine
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12/18/2021 - lewisrise wrote: 89 Points
Medium ruby with developed aromas of raspberry blackberry black currant nutmeg, vanilla, briar, and violet. This wine has high alcohol medium tannins medium body and acidity. Developed flavors of blackberry, black currant, nutmeg, briar, fig and fruitcake. This wine has a medium finish and is a good wine that should be drunk now with no potential for aging.
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8/30/2019 - RobertVitello Does not like this wine: 86 Points
Not a grape I would seek out
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10/25/2018 - sastewart wrote: 90 Points
Cool blueberry with nice floral notes. Medium bodied with good acids and a nice crispness on the palate. Blueberry, crushed stones and a pretty good finish. Not fat or sweet at all, Still good on day 2. Stored at 55 degrees since release. Solid 90 points
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10/10/2018 - reidan1@verizon.net Likes this wine: 91 Points
Bottle variation? First tasted early 2016. Undrinkable: horrible astringency with surgical gauze, iodine, and other medicinal tones. Islay from Hell soaked in raisins? Wanted to chuck the lot, but decided to wait until now. Afraid to fowl a decent stem, but after reading CT chose a nice Burgundy bowl. Pleasantly surprised, and like Islay it may grow on the novice. Fine wine? But far from ordinary: Good fruit and balance in a savory sweet n' sour package. Nice woody tones--lets hear for stems and seeds! Intriguing...wow...
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6/24/2018 - VoVo wrote: 89 Points
This is a bigger style Mencia. It’s mature but definitely not over the hill. It has a beautiful balance right now between fruits and tannins. We ate it with grilled shrimp and asparagus on a cool summer evening and loved it! For $13, we thought we won the lottery with this one!
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5/18/2018 - Baylorwine Likes this wine: 89 Points
Drank over 4 nights. Stayed consistent. Well made wine, great value
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10/13/2017 - ucbeau Likes this wine: 86 Points
Fun, fruity, relatively simple. Easy drinking but kind of generic too.
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6/9/2017 - RobertVitello wrote:
.
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3/10/2016 - mreinitz wrote:
I found this revolting. It tastes like raisins and surgical gauze. I would have thought it was spoiled if others didn't say that it was supposed to taste like this.
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2/8/2016 - Mark3548 Likes this wine: 88 Points
I bought this because it was described as soft and somewhat fruit driven. That fit the bill tonight, but it wasn't quite what I expected. On PnP there was a definite gamy note, and it had character, though fruit wasn't a big part of it. With time the game receded, the thin mid palate expanded nicely and the fruit grew. It's got an unusual taste I can't really place--tar? petrol?--that was a little off-putting at first, but now it's appealing enough that I'm having trouble corking it for tomorrow. Very much worth a try for a change from the usual.
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10/7/2015 - fitchbuck Likes this wine: 90 Points
Quite nice, superb QPR.
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9/2/2015 - fwota Likes this wine: 88 Points
Needs a bit of time to open up, but once it's been breathing for ~30 minutes or more, it really blossoms. Smooth, lush, with some pleasant raisin sweetness.
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9/1/2015 - JWG wrote: 87 Points
Nose is very dark blueberries with an alcoholic hit. Palate is spicy, darkly fruity, a bit of tobacco.
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12/24/2014 - ccotton8 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Pnp'd, this had a slow start with bright cherries on the nose but the pallet was thin. After 30-60 minutes of air this really evolved nicely with the fruit darkening and the mouthfeel becoming more plush. Really fun cellar defender.
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5/25/2014 - slippytoad wrote: 88 Points
Not a party favorite but I like it. Unusual.
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4/11/2014 - rustyRudy wrote: 87 Points
Aromatically Spanish. Dark red. Moderately complex, nice fruit, ripe olive mixed in. Pretty decent just not my thing.
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3/30/2014 - slippytoad Likes this wine: 89 Points
Jammy fruit but quite smooth and structured. Lasts easily to day 2.
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3/23/2014 - Dave75 wrote: 89 Points
Vibrant nose on this- berries, particularly blackberry, and some subtle floral notes. Black cherry and pepper on the palate with a dusty mouthfeel and a long finish. Medium to high tannins. It was very tight at first- it needed about 30 minutes to open up. Overall, it was very enjoyable.
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3/18/2014 - Giggs wrote: 91 Points
Unoaked. Wonderful fruit ripeness and sweetness. This is going to evolve significantly with bottle age, but I like the youthful sweet fruit now.
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1/22/2014 - spidersva Likes this wine: 87 Points
Fruity with a bite. Really nice.
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1/10/2014 - slippytoad Likes this wine: 90 Points
Fairly lively, fruit all over the place. Interesting, probably better in a year or two.
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11/28/2013 - Champagneinhand Likes this wine: 89 Points
This surely needed more air time as it was consumed at cellar temp, but as it warmed the spicy fruited nose came up nicely. Full of acid it was crisp and clean in the mouth a good with the fatty foods of the day. Mostly bright cherry fruit, but some nuttiness and spices in the background. A little disjointed so it may be going to sleep. I will try and hold my final bottle for 5 years to see how much Mencia changes after its full nap in the cellar. Great qpr wine, for sure.
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11/18/2013 - smphelps wrote: 91 Points
Thought was really quite good for a 12 dollar wine. Very clean, deep and rich, with peanuts and mint on the nose (no obvious oak) and dark fruits and spice in the mouth. We tasted this blind in a collection of unusual wines. Surprised to see the community average so low (86 at time of writing). When it's well-made, as it is here, mencia is cleaner and richer than Chinon but also has the potential to be as delicate as good Burgundy.
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10/16/2013 - wolfonthehill Likes this wine: 92 Points
Let it breathe for an hour. Then enjoy.
The nose is far better developed than it was the last time we had a bottle. We just got back from a week of wine tasting in Walla Walla and the Willamette, and this one would fare quite well in a tasting like those you do at a winery. Complex, rich, and paired VERY well with a spicy Moroccan curry-like dish. Could stand another year or so if you want to hold it - but not more than that.
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10/12/2013 - jmd60611 wrote: 93 Points
Rich and full bodied...black berry flavors, a little chalk, long finish...very tasty brew
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9/27/2013 - Champagneinhand Likes this wine: 90 Points
Solidly made red, with a fruit forward red and dark fruit profile. Plenty of acid and tannins to go the distance. I'm really curious to see how this ages. From all reports this stuff gets better in 10 years. Thanks periko for the encouragement to drink a bottle young to see if I enjoyed it. Like Burgundy, with a Spanish flare. I think this grape is a winner, when done properly.
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9/4/2013 - tautlinehitch Likes this wine: 86 Points
Our first experience with this grape. Popped & decanted via Vinturi. Fairly dark purple. Nose of eucalyptus, olive, black fruit, maybe a little mint. Palate adds cherry and cola (spruce?) flavor, also plum as the evening went on. Low to medium acidity, prominent furry tannins. Alcohol not exactly low at 13.5%, but certainly no heat. Overall effect is rustic, wild, would be great with peasant food like cassoulet or roasted root vegetables.
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7/18/2013 - jibby Likes this wine: 88 Points
Medium purple color; Concentrated nose of bright red fruit (raspberry, cherry), cola, some earthiness, and peppery spice. No hint of oak. Medium mouthfeel. Reminds me some heavier Beaujolais,Pinot, and Cab Franc. Very drinkable and complex at the same time, though it won't blow your mind. Medium acidity, medium-low tannins.
Valdeorras is NW of Spain in Galicia, climate is cool. 100% s-steel, no oak, 33-yr vines, .
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7/2/2013 - robmatic Likes this wine: 87 Points
Quite young, and a little difficult to say what it's about, as the Mencia grape is somewhat unusual. But overall this is very enjoyable, and has a sharp focus to the fruit and minerality that really sets it apart. Very good value, and it will be interesting to see how this develops.
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6/26/2013 - Rollerball wrote: 81 Points
Grapey.
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5/16/2013 - Whidah Likes this wine: 82 Points
Medium intensity purple color. Quite Beaujolais like. Light fragrant nose with berry character. Initial mouth feel a touch sweet, but balanced by long and supple tannins. My first Mencia. A decent eveyday wine bit nothng more.
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5/4/2013 - markcic wrote: 86 Points
Deep red color, floral nose, lots of berries and cherry on the palate, average length finish - enjoyable. I had with a big salad of roasted chicken and greens but i can defintely see it going with pizza.
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4/26/2013 - Martnmac wrote: 88 Points
Very enjoyable. Easy and approachable. Had with some manchego cheese and very much liked. Lovely plum colour and notes.
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4/18/2013 - ima3 wrote:
Like it! Recommend to Jeanne
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3/25/2013 - Jamesgold wrote: 85 Points
A bit tart but does mellow out some over time. Not my favorite.
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3/15/2013 - Doblk wrote: 85 Points
Sort of interesting but not remarkable. Yeasty nose. Medium weight with simple fruit and acidity. I agree it would be a good pizza wine.
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3/14/2013 - Big Texas Likes this wine: 88 Points
Best pizza wine i've found yet. This really calls out for some strong flavored food to reign in its acidity. It was absolutely perfect with the pizza and even harmonious with the feta that my wife likes on our pies. Recommend this for any casual eating with strong flavored or tomato dominant food. The wine lost something of its allure when drunk alone.
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3/12/2013 - cwiebe Likes this wine: 88 Points
For the price and consumed as a mid-week wine, I'm starting to believe this wine really shines in its role. Bright berry flavors, and an attractive floral nose. A high amount of acidity really helps the wine cut through pasta served with several different sauces, including a red sauce and a pesto based sauce. If you want something profound, you'll need to open something else. If you want a food friendly wine that you won't spend any time second guessing, this is your thing. I'm going back for more.
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2/24/2013 - cwiebe Likes this wine: 88 Points
Solid bright berry flavors.
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2/23/2013 - Merrit wrote: 87 Points
Berry nose with a hint of smoke and mushroom. Raspberry, cranberry, smoke and wet earth taste. Quite tart at first, but mellowed substantially on the second night. Medium finish that is sweet and smokey. Rather different than other Mencia wines I've experienced - almost in another ballpark. Goes well with food and would try it again with an appropriate meal.
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2/18/2013 - sayward wrote: 87 Points
ok, but nothing memorable. Drank over 2 nights. Seemed a little better on the second night as the fruit was a little more muted and offered more mineral flavors.
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2/5/2013 - affordableCollector wrote: 85 Points
dark maroon in color. plum, raspberry, earth, tobacco on the nose. cherry, smoke, wet earth, tart fruit. light acid, medium body on this short finish.
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1/13/2013 - Cadby Likes this wine: 90 Points
2011 A Portela Mencia +++ $15
Dusty, bold nose. Study, blackberry and currants. Bargain
http://8wordsonwine.blogspot.com/
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12/30/2012 - maxfischer wrote: 88 Points
Very good qpr. Ripe nose of wild red fruit. Surprisingly complex on the mid-palate and very approachable. Good acidity and finessed finish.
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12/20/2012 - europat55 wrote: 87 Points
1985-1990 Super Tuscans (Tasted Blind) (Tom's house in Palo Alto, California): Fruity nose (raspberries?). Very young palate. Tasted blind.
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12/20/2012 - zscheiner wrote: 84 Points
Blind Tasting 1985-1990 Super Tuscans (Tom's House, Palo Alto, CA): Ripe berry nose but not much fruit in the mouth. Graphite and moderate+ tannins.
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11/14/2012 - honest bob wrote: 86 Points
From 75cl. This ripe, relatively low-alcohol (13,5%) Mencia is completely unoaked, making it a very different drink from the likes of Petalos (or, for that matter, any other Spanish red wine I can remember having tasted). Not sure I like the result, though. Attractive if reticent crushed blueberry and fresh-ground light-roast coffee powder scent; fresh, squeaky tannic entry; the tannins grow on the finish leaving a very furry tongue. Either something dramatic will happen to this juice over the next year or two, or I have a different wine in my glass than the A Portela which was rated 93PP in Wine Advocate. 86P(?)
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