100% Mencia

Bierzo, Spain

Pérez’s entry-level Mencía comes from multiple remote parcels of 30- to 60-year-old vines dotted around the slate-rich hillsides of Valtuille and Villafranca del Bierzo. The blend also takes in a splash of Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet) and Godello, a legacy of the traditional make-up of Bierzo's vineyards. In the pursuit of something pure, refreshing, and juicy, Pérez destemmed 90% of his fruit and the wine was fermented wild in stainless-steel tanks. Bottled early to capture all that joyous, mouth-watering Mencía character, if you fancy a detour from Cru Beaujolais or Loire Cabernet Franc, this is an excellent port of call. - Importer note