Mencia, Trousseau, Garnacha Tintorera, Palomino & Doña Blanca, Bierzo, Spain

A slinky, dark and savoury Mencia blend from a Spanish force. The talented and energetic Raúl’s first vintage was produced for his family’s winery in 1994 (at the age of 22!), putting him and his wines at the centre of “The New Spain” movement. Here we have an aromatic, peppery mencía-dominated field blend from ancient vineyards (planted between 1900 and 1940), that includes berried, herbaceous bastardo (trousseau), chocolatey garnacha tintorera (alicante bouschet), citric palomino, delicate, perfumed doña blanca and more. Everything sees a 50-60% whole-cluster fermentation and 60 day maceration that really pulls everything these grapes have to give, texture, tannin and aromatics are locked in like they are taking a rocket to the moon. Struck flint, rosemary, pomegranate molasses, tree bark meeting soil, espresso + chocolate chunk cookie, black plum beginning to shrivel, grizzly gaminess & rubbery botanicals. Enjoy with braised beef and spicy peppers.