2021 Adega Cachin, Mencia, Peza do Rei Tinto, Ribeira Sacra DO, Galicia, Spain.
This beautifully balanced, floral, mineral toned, dark fruited and racy Mencia is grown in an eight-acre high altitude steeply terraced vineyard, made by the Adega Cachin, the Peza do Rei Ribeira Sacra Tinto is a near perfect example of varietal and place. The aromatic and spicy purple/garnet 2021 Peza do Rei has medium bodied palate of wild blueberry, tart plum, lingonberry and black cherry fruits along with briar notes, crushed violets, minty fennel and flinty/smoky stones. The tannins are supple and the wine, with its vibrant acidity, low alcohol and delicious rustic chard make for a quaffer and still serious in detail and length. I’m a big fan of the Ribeira Sacra region and especially the wines of my friend Pedro Rodriguez at Guimaro as well as Laura Lorenzo at Daterra Viticultures, but I had not tried Adega Cachin’s Mencia before. The Peza do Rei is actually a field blend with Mencía 90%, Merenzao 2%, Tempranillo 3%, Sousón 2% and Garnacha 3%, and is raised without wood in temperature controlled stainless steel and sees just a few months in tank before a quick bottling. This vintage is drinking fabulously well right now, no patience required, it reminds me a lot of a Croze-Hermitage meats Cru Beaujolais, which is a fine compliment in my book, I could could drink a lot of this stuff!
The beautiful and mysterious Ribeira Sacra, which was almost forgotten in the last century was highly coveted by the Romans, but only became an official D.O. in 1996, and now is seeing a huge up turn in fortunes. The Mencia grape, the main red varietal in the Ribeira Sacra, as well in the famous Beirzo region where it can be more rich and powerful, is a varietal that has elements that will remind you of Syrah, Pinot and Gamay, especially here in this cooler terroir that influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The granite, schist and slate based soils and the elevation, helps it retains loads of zesty natural acidity and delivers that mineral intensity, famous in the Ribeira Sacra wines. Historically, since those Roman times, the most famous Galician wines come from the steep south facing hillsides above the Sil River. When you see the difficulty of hand tending these steep sites, you’d not believe you were looking at vineyards in Spain, as the Ribeira Sacra “the sacred blanks” looks more like the steepest sections of the Mosel River in Germany! There are many places, still today, without any roads, some only accessed by either small boats and or by narrow foot trails, it is not easy and historically none to profitable to farm these incredible vineyards, but the wines are incredible and remain a great value. The Adega Cachin does a Rosado, a Godello based Bianco and another Mencia, Barrica (wood aged) to fill out their collection, all of which are on my follow list now, I suggest keeping on eye out for them.
($25 Est.) 92 Points, grapelive