A solid Rioja crianza that’s very well balanced. Red plums, cherries and sweet spices follow through to a medium-bodied palate with juicy red fruit and a touch of vanilla. Fluid, pretty long and well grained. Drink or hold.
The young red 2023 Mencía also contains the allowed 15% of other local varieties—Brancellao, Merenzao, Garnacha, Mouratón, Negreda, Sousón… It has notes of wild berries, herbs and flowers and a characteristic touch of honey and beeswax that I sometimes fi...