3rd bottle from a 6 pack, last consumed 1.5 yrs ago. Took on a road trip to IA, it was tasty upon arrival. No formal TN, but maturing nicely. Drink through 2028 or so.
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2nd bottle of 6 purchased. Last consumed 18 mos ago. This is improving, showing mature red and black fruits alongside a refreshing spearmint or spicy quality, giving the red wine a refreshing twist on the medium length finish. Drink now through 2025 or so.
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1st of 6 bottles. This wine was tasty, fruity, rather foursquare on day one...but surprisingly, devolved a bit on day two and became stewed fruit and oxidized. These need drunk once opened, and sooner than later. But upfront tasty nonetheless.
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Not as nice as it’s more talented brother Capeliños but still quite nice. Too young at this moment but after two hours it settles down to a blalanced taste. Fairly high acidity combined with good structure and some first try at elegance. Lots of fruit but I think it will age well to an autumn wine
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A single vineyard wine from a 70-year-old vineyard Meixemán. Officially this is a Mencía, but in truth this is a field blend including lots of other, local varieties (Brancellao (Alvarelhao), Caíno, Garnacha Tintorera, Merenzao (Trousseau), Negreda (Juan Garcia) and Sousón (Vinhão) for up to 20% the blend. Fermented in closed oak foudres with some 55% full clusters undergoing long macerations. Pressed and kept for five months in the 5,000-liter foudres and then transferred to mainly neutral 225- and 500-liter oak barrels to finish the 20 months of aging. Total production some 4,200 bottles.
Deep and very slightly translucent black cherry color with a subtle, youthful purple hue. Very open, expressive and aromatic nose with powerful aromas of boysenberry-driven dark fruit along with notes of black cherries, some raspberry marmalade, a little bit of stony minerality, a little bit of peppery spice and a fragrant, floral hint of violets. Overall the nose feels very forward and sweet, but only as ripe and fruit-forward, not as a jammy crowdpleaser. This is more like a warm-vintage Cru Beaujolais or a fantastic New Zealand Pinot Noir, but with a Galician twist. On the palate, the wine is ripe yet dry, medium-bodied yet rich, fruity yet firm and focused. There are bold and vibrant flavors of boysenberries, brambly blackberries, black cherries, some stony minerality, a little bit of meaty umami character and a hint of savory, black pepper-driven spice. The acidity is high, but not too high to distract from the silky smooth mouthfeel. The tannins are barely perceptible and their grip is almost nonexistent, so the structure relies solely on the acidity. The finish is long, ripe and super-juicy with pure and fleshy flavors of boysenberries, black cherries, some brambly blackberries, a hint of earthy spice and a touch of fragrant floral character.
A pure, harmonious and wonderfully expressive Mencía (blend) - perhaps not that "Burgundian" in style as some Ribeira Sacras, but definitely as good as them, if not even more so. This is just pure bliss. I've no idea how a wine like this will age, but I really don't mind when it is drinking this good right now. Super value at 18,70€. Very highly recommended.
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Explosively aromatic and expressive on the nose with notes of dark cherry, blackberry and cranberry. As if that is not enough it is also minerally, stony and floral with hints of ground black pepper. Extremely bright and articulate, reminiscent of both Morgon and St. Joseph. On the palate medium-bodied, linear and almost weightless, showcasing very light winemaker's touch. Low in tannins with fabulous acidity. Very much seamless and silky and absolutely refreshing with a most deliciously tangy, balanced and clean finish.
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Youthful nose that starts a bit weird with funky, animal notes and burnt rubber. It takes about 15 minutes then it's all about cool climate, VERY Syrah-like aromas. Black cherry, black berry, peppery stems, raw meat, violets, wet rocks and licorice.
Super juicy mouthfeel but not lacking an inch of structure. Medium(+) bodied with smooth, medium(+), tannins and medium(+) acidity. Black berry, fresh herbs, grounded black pepper, raw meat, licorice root and damp soil. Medium(+) intensity of flavors and a lovely fresh, lingering finish.
Even better than the 2013 which is totally loved. Drinks perfectly today but it would be fun to see how these turns out with some aging. Not to be missed by fans of whole cluster Syrah.
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Not having had that many Ribeira Sacra wines, my mind wandered to both Piedmont and northern Rhône drinking this. Notes of raspberry, salty licorice, blackberry and pepper. Slightly rustic but very drinkable.
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4/6/2023 - larseman Likes this wine: 91 Points
Slankt, svalt, elegant. Örtigt (dill?), gräs, sandelträ. Syrligt med snälla tanniner. Påminner inte så lite om en bra Cab Franc.
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2/24/2023 - drrobvino wrote: 89 Points
3rd bottle from a 6 pack, last consumed 1.5 yrs ago.
Took on a road trip to IA, it was tasty upon arrival. No formal TN, but maturing nicely.
Drink through 2028 or so.
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8/13/2021 - drrobvino wrote: 89 Points
2nd bottle of 6 purchased. Last consumed 18 mos ago.
This is improving, showing mature red and black fruits alongside a refreshing spearmint or spicy quality, giving the red wine a refreshing twist on the medium length finish.
Drink now through 2025 or so.
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2/28/2020 - drrobvino wrote: 88 Points
1st of 6 bottles. This wine was tasty, fruity, rather foursquare on day one...but surprisingly, devolved a bit on day two and became stewed fruit and oxidized. These need drunk once opened, and sooner than later. But upfront tasty nonetheless.
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6/9/2019 - martijnkriens wrote: 88 Points
Nice wine from guimaro from Ribeira sacra. A lot smoother than the raw capelinos that has a lot more depth and complexity but excellent value.
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11/24/2017 - martijnkriens wrote: 88 Points
Not as nice as it’s more talented brother Capeliños but still quite nice. Too young at this moment but after two hours it settles down to a blalanced taste. Fairly high acidity combined with good structure and some first try at elegance. Lots of fruit but I think it will age well to an autumn wine
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11/18/2017 - Pedro G wrote: 92 Points
Mencia em estado total. Aromas magnificos fruta, persistente e intenso. Em boca nota varietais, cedoso e atraente.
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10/1/2017 - forceberry wrote: 93 Points
A single vineyard wine from a 70-year-old vineyard Meixemán. Officially this is a Mencía, but in truth this is a field blend including lots of other, local varieties (Brancellao (Alvarelhao), Caíno, Garnacha Tintorera, Merenzao (Trousseau), Negreda (Juan Garcia) and Sousón (Vinhão) for up to 20% the blend. Fermented in closed oak foudres with some 55% full clusters undergoing long macerations. Pressed and kept for five months in the 5,000-liter foudres and then transferred to mainly neutral 225- and 500-liter oak barrels to finish the 20 months of aging. Total production some 4,200 bottles.
Deep and very slightly translucent black cherry color with a subtle, youthful purple hue. Very open, expressive and aromatic nose with powerful aromas of boysenberry-driven dark fruit along with notes of black cherries, some raspberry marmalade, a little bit of stony minerality, a little bit of peppery spice and a fragrant, floral hint of violets. Overall the nose feels very forward and sweet, but only as ripe and fruit-forward, not as a jammy crowdpleaser. This is more like a warm-vintage Cru Beaujolais or a fantastic New Zealand Pinot Noir, but with a Galician twist. On the palate, the wine is ripe yet dry, medium-bodied yet rich, fruity yet firm and focused. There are bold and vibrant flavors of boysenberries, brambly blackberries, black cherries, some stony minerality, a little bit of meaty umami character and a hint of savory, black pepper-driven spice. The acidity is high, but not too high to distract from the silky smooth mouthfeel. The tannins are barely perceptible and their grip is almost nonexistent, so the structure relies solely on the acidity. The finish is long, ripe and super-juicy with pure and fleshy flavors of boysenberries, black cherries, some brambly blackberries, a hint of earthy spice and a touch of fragrant floral character.
A pure, harmonious and wonderfully expressive Mencía (blend) - perhaps not that "Burgundian" in style as some Ribeira Sacras, but definitely as good as them, if not even more so. This is just pure bliss. I've no idea how a wine like this will age, but I really don't mind when it is drinking this good right now. Super value at 18,70€. Very highly recommended.
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6/10/2017 - kuumies wrote:
Explosively aromatic and expressive on the nose with notes of dark cherry, blackberry and cranberry. As if that is not enough it is also minerally, stony and floral with hints of ground black pepper. Extremely bright and articulate, reminiscent of both Morgon and St. Joseph. On the palate medium-bodied, linear and almost weightless, showcasing very light winemaker's touch. Low in tannins with fabulous acidity. Very much seamless and silky and absolutely refreshing with a most deliciously tangy, balanced and clean finish.
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4/1/2017 - karl.1480 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Youthful nose that starts a bit weird with funky, animal notes and burnt rubber. It takes about 15 minutes then it's all about cool climate, VERY Syrah-like aromas. Black cherry, black berry, peppery stems, raw meat, violets, wet rocks and licorice.
Super juicy mouthfeel but not lacking an inch of structure. Medium(+) bodied with smooth, medium(+), tannins and medium(+) acidity. Black berry, fresh herbs, grounded black pepper, raw meat, licorice root and damp soil. Medium(+) intensity of flavors and a lovely fresh, lingering finish.
Even better than the 2013 which is totally loved. Drinks perfectly today but it would be fun to see how these turns out with some aging.
Not to be missed by fans of whole cluster Syrah.
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3/23/2017 - jrick wrote: 89 Points
Not having had that many Ribeira Sacra wines, my mind wandered to both Piedmont and northern Rhône drinking this. Notes of raspberry, salty licorice, blackberry and pepper. Slightly rustic but very drinkable.
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