Ericsson

9.6

If you know, you know.

Just eying the bottle evokes a sense of mysticism—these are increasingly rare sightings, relics of a winemaking philosophy nearly lost to time. Opening it after a recent visit to the winery feels familiar, almost fated.

The color holds strong despite its 20+ years, with a core of garnet that defies its age. On the nose, memory takes over: the scent of the underground cellar, the mold-covered walls, the rustic perfume of wood and brick. Then come the classics notes—dried rose petals, red berries, and a whisper of spice.

The palate surprises with more volume than the bottle’s vintage muster’s. Lively red fruit mingles with savory earth and warm spice, carried by silken tannins. The finish lingers with a trace of wet oak, grounding the experience in place and time.

This is a wine of lineage, character, and quiet perseverance—a style too uncommon today. Most importantly, it was opened, shared, and deeply enjoyed. — 22 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, and the rest Graciano and Mazuelo, deep Ruby, aromas of sweet red and black fruits with pepper spice and oak, aged in both French and American oak for 24 months. On the palate flavors of blackberry and currants with licorice, vanilla, tobacco and toasty oak tones. Soft full ripe tannins, wonderful balance, lively acidity on a long finish ending with an earthy mineral character. Very nice! — 3 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

One of my go to producers of Tempranillo. Still a bit early on their 2016, but showed shades of their excellent 2010 I had about 8-9 months ago.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine 2025. — a month ago

Vino Joe

9.6

Elite wine experience. Decanted and poured in two halves. Needed a short while for footing but was ready to party after 20-30 minutes. The bouquet was phenomenal and had a very complex mix of earth and fruit. Some figs. Some cedar? And it was all amazing. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2020 “Pétalos” pours a deep purple color with a magenta rim and an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe and tart black fruits: blackberries, black cherry, salmiakki, horse blanket, and mixed earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. A crazy, ambitious wine that’s the result of assembling over 300 plots. Between Raúl Perez and Palacios, Mencia doesn’t get much better. Drink now through 2030. — 25 days ago

Matthew W.

9.1

Always an excellent Spanish value wine. — a day ago

romo

9.1

“Does not need food. Actually, we prefer it that way.” — 8 days ago

Adam Kincaid

9.2

Dense and dark, almost black colors. Looks viscous when I swirl. Lots of vanilla on the nose, but some cedar and dark fruit underneath. Has some spice, like clove and dill, but also perfume, like rose. Very intense and rich juice, heavy acidity and powerful structure with medium+ tannins. Manly wine. — 3 months ago

with Jillian

David White

9.3

Nice cherry ruby red colour with cherries and red fruit on the nose, silky balance of tannins on palate with minerality leading to a long satisfying finish
Excellent example of good old world wine making — 16 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2019 | Popped and poured to savour during the Liberation concert at Dutch Liberation day. Good old school Rioja. Tempranillo and 4% Graciano. 24 m barrel aging and 12 m aging in bottle before it comes on the market. Elegance and structure. Vanilla and spicyness in smell. Also mocca. Fine acidity and spices in taste. But also fruit, fresh cherries. Paired with some old goats cheese. — 7 days ago