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Tag Archives: Bierzo

Vinos de Arganza Lagar de Robla ‘Coleccion Cuatro Hermanos’ Mencia 2022, Bierzo, Spain

08 Saturday Nov 2025

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$25, 5 stars, 92 points, Bierzo, mencia, spain


Deep ruby colored with slight staining, and a high viscosity (14.5% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of dried cranberry, black plum, baking spice, dried herbs, blackberry coulis, dark pomegranate, and petrichor.  The palate is dry, with medium (+) acidity, a medium body, and medium (+) tannins that are chalky.  The flavors are of medium intensity and more secondary driven- chalk, iron, baking spice, dried herbs, and slate followed by dark red fruit and some blackberry.  The tannins are all-encompassing.  They seize the moment and grip from start to finish, slightly overshadowing the fruit on the palate.  The finish is medium (-) as a result.  It’s got lots of promise, and cellaring capacity.  Time will be kind to this wine and will reward the patient.  I would either decant/aerate it for immediate consumption or start drinking it from 2027 till 2035.  It’s a big wine that gets 92 points from me and at $25, 5 stars.  Salut….

Vinos de Arganza Lagar de Robla 'Coleccion Cuatro Hermanos' Mencia

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Raul Perez Ultreia Saint Jacques 2019, Bierzo, Spain

21 Tuesday Feb 2023

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$20, 5 stars, 90 points, Bierzo, mencia, spain, VWTC


This Mencia was a medium magenta/ruby color in the glass.  An earthy nose of crushed gravel and licorice with blackberry and lilac aromas.  The palate had medium (+) acidity, medium (-) tannins and a hefty body.  Blackberry, gravel, licorice all featured and the finish was medium in length.  Pairings for this wine would include lamb chops, beef stew or even roast duck.  Drink this 90 point wine till 2026.  I paid $20 but it can found for a few bucks cheaper, not bad and worthy of 5 stars.  Salut….

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Tenoira Gayoso ‘Tenoira’ Tinto 2104, Bierzo, Spain

20 Monday Nov 2017

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$13, 3 stars, 88 points, Bierzo, corked, mencia, TCA


The Mencia grape, grown in Spain primarily, yields fresh early drinking wines. They say it is a fragrant varietal that mimics Cabernet Franc, which I love.  This particular wine is indeed aromatic, but not in a very fruity way, it kinda stinks to be honest.  I cannot pinpoint the aroma, but it smells like wet socks.  I fear for the worst- TCA, which is a cork taint.  It is harmless, theoretically.  The wine itself is decent, showing off red fruits including raspberry, red currants and some slate.  The wine is steely, as in no oak.  It has a nice minerality and shows the red fruit streak throughout.  It is easy drinking and not built for the long haul.  What it lacks in tannic structure, it makes up for freshness.  The acidity is but a hint.  This wine will pair nicely with pizza, grilled lamb chops with mint sauce, or even Chorizo.  I am going 88 points on this corked wine and hope you all get a better example.  For $13, it is a potential steal but for now, 3 stars.  Salut….

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Carracedo Tinto Mencia 2007

11 Friday Jan 2013

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2 stars, 86 points, Bierzo


Not sure about this one…. I had to do some research to get a better feel.
Initial impression was a simultaneous sighting of the 14% alcohol on the label and a “woohoo, this has got some kick.” I don’t like that in a wine. If a high alcohol content sneaks by, fair game. When it’s in my face, shame on the winemaker.
So, black currants and alcohol mix it up with some young tannins. The Mencia grape is either from newly planted stock giving a thin light wine, or in this case, old vines that produce darker more complex wines with aging potential. These gnarly 80 year old vines produced a dark purple offering that is just not my style. I love complexity, tannins and older wines but this one is disjointed. I have to disagree with the pro’s and give it 86 points. For the price, it comes down to 2 stars. I’m sure you may find it interesting and worthy, but not for md at this price.

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