Sierra de Gredos, Spain

The 2021 El Mentridano was produced with Garnacha grapes from the family in the village of Méntrida (and therefore not Gredos) on sandstone granite soils, producing a light and approachable style through fermenting the full clusters with a very short maceration and an élevage in 3,000- and 3,700-liter foudres for seven months. It's quite open and appley, with hints of herbs and red berries. It's a warmer zone than Gredos, and the wine is ripe without excess with 14.3% alcohol and a pH of 3.4. It has less grip than the wines from Gredos but is balanced through the shorter maceration. 91 points, Luis Gutierez, The Wine Advocate, June 2023