Lousas Viñas de Aldea Mencía

The last and probably the best bottle from a lot of four purchased from our local importer. There was quite a bit of bottle variation in our Malaysian importer’s 19’ Envinate release - the Migan’s and Palo Blanco’s were quite the rollercoaster ride - but the Vinas de Aldea seemed to have gotten the good side of the container. Like the last bottle, this was full of floral elegance and tangy energy. Super complex aromas of violets, ripe cherries, sweet herbs, pepper, and a touch of coffee and flint. All finesse on the palate, but has depth too. Sweet red fruits, bittersweet herbs, umeshu, and an absolutely lovely, Mosel-esque slatey minerality; finishing sharp with grippy, chalky tannins. For me it was firmly in that red kabinett territory, and downright perfect with our fatty Angus picanha. Loved it!

Best bottle I’ve had if the 16 so far. Spicy, light and elegant. Drank with a chill.

First time trying this (cult) producer and a little underwhelmed. Ribiera Sacra Mencia that exudes Cru Beaujolais character on the nose with with macerated red fruits and crushed stone. The palate is crunchy (whole cluster?) and zesty with black pepper and stems. Fruit is hidden underneath the juicy acids and mineral character. Do these wines need time in the cellar? More air? Suppose the hype is a bit lost on me, especially at $45 on the shelf.

Fun grape varietals (Mencia, Brancellao, Caiño, Sousón, Garnacha Tintorera and others.)and natural, terroir driven, winemaking style makes this bottle taste fresh and lively.

Lots of pepper on the nose, freshly snapped stems, and bright herby components dominate but also tagging along are red fruit flavors like pomegranate, raspberry, red apple skin, and bruised strawberry.

Really quite delicious and unique.

Wow. This was pretty different from the first bottle. Open from the get-go here, the glass was filled with floral, spicy, and red-fruited aromas. Lovely verticality and chock full of energy, with lip-smacking sweet red fruits, chalky tannins, and a bittersweet herbaceous finish. Delicious!

Light reduction to start, which quickly dissipated to reveal high-toned red cherries, preserved plums, and violets on the nose. Medium-bodied with grippy tannins. The fruit on the palate came off as being quite sweet, but pure and balanced by fresh acidity and herbaceous elements. Delicious, though the missus and I didn't find it particularly exciting to drink.

Envinante Lousas, Old vine Mencia from Ribeira Sacra, fermented in concrete and matured in old, neutral oak. So much more harmonized than my last encounter half year ago and finally the real quality receipt that I was looking for from this praised producer. Wonderfull nose, playful and complex at the same time with ripe but crunchy and fresh red berries, bell pepper and red floral tones over a well defined core of black papper, wet soil and a story, almost gunflint-like character. A fresh acidity drives the palate with very present but fine grained tannins through a solid finish.

Pronounced aromas of red fruits and spice. There’s a sort of pomegranate and mustiness to the wine. A little bit mousey. There are obviously aromas of the whole cluster fermentation. I like it. It is balanced, juicy and crunchy. #galicia #mencia blend #spain

It doesn’t look like Delectable was able to peg this, but it’s the ‘Parcela A Costa’ Viticole collaboration.

Wow this with some age on it is pretty freaking delicious red fruit and dried leaves and spice very different than young Mencia! Happy 2020!