2014 Unculin, Tinto Mencia de Valtuille, Bierzo DO, Spain.
The Unculin from Jose Antonio Garcia is a lovely fresh style Mencia with delicate layers and juicy fruit flavors, unlike some deeper oak aged Bierzo, this wine feels lighter and more vibrant. The graceful Unculin Tinto Mencia de Valtuille Bierzo is fermented using native yeast and aged a short time in well used neutral cask to highlight terroir and purity of varietal and it works well here making for an energy filled expression of Mencia that delivers red berry fruit, mineral notes and spices. The nose is gifted with floral elements, mild saline and subtle earth notes along with fresh currants leading to a medium weighted palate of cherry, plum and cranberry fruits along with a wet rock core, sweet and tangy herbs. Hints of anise, olive and loam add complexity to this stylish Mencia that shows off this grape, be sure to keep an eye out for this alluring red from Spain’s very in fashion Galicia region, this cool climate area in northwestern Spain has in recent years become the go to region for elegant excellence that can in many cases rival Burgundy, both in white and red wine! The Jose Antonio Garcia wines are impressive, especially the latest Mencia Unculin which should drink nicely for 3 to 5 years easy.
($24 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive
