Envinate

Lousas Viñas de Aldea Mencía

9.1226 ratings
9.151 pro ratings
Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain
Mencía
Top Notes For
Aaron Tan

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!

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!

Oct 22nd, 2023
Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

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

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

May 23rd, 2023
Austin Hohnke

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.

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.

May 20th, 2023
Adam Kincaid

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.

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.

Apr 14th, 2023
Aaron Tan

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!

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!

Jun 24th, 2022
Aaron Tan

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.

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.

Feb 19th, 2022
Fredrik Finn

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.

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.

Oct 3rd, 2020
MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.0

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

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

Sep 6th, 2020
Drew Summers

Sales Northampton Wines

8.9

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

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

Apr 1st, 2020
Sarah O'Kelley

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!

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!

Jan 1st, 2020