Almanova - Mencia 2019
![Red Wine](/images/sites/red.png)
Price: $24.99
So here’s the deal… we are one of the largest, if not the largest, single retailer of red wines from northwest Spain – Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra, Monterrei, Rias Baixas and Valdeorras. In the past year, we’ve sold over 5,000 bottles of red wine… mostly from the Mencia grape, but also Caina, Bastardo, Souson, Loureiro, Espadeiro, Garnacha Tintorera and a few others. A huge chunk of what we sell is from Raul Perez, one of the top winemakers in the world.
All of which is to say that I am kind of a geek over these wines. I have 8 mixed cases from the region in my cellar right now. To say I love them is an understatement. And given the sales, I think you do to.
But I wasn’t looking for a new wine. I mean, with the producers we deal with already, we get everything we need and then some. But I’ll never say no to a sample. Man’s gotta drink…
This wine floored me.
Located to the west of the more known Bierzo, the region occupies a narrow band on either side of the Sil and Minho Rivers. Narrow because the land here is extremely steep… vineyards literally explode nearly vertically from the rivers! Check out the picture. Yes, that is a ladder! The steep, rocky soil forces the vines to dig deep into the hillsides to find water and nutrients. As a result, the vines are not particularly vigorous, but the little fruit they produce is oh-so-glorious! And because all of the harvesting must be done by hand, only the best fruit is chosen.
You know the Raul Ultreia St. Jacques, so you know what you are getting into. The primary difference, for me, is the Almanova is “brighter” due to a lack of any oak. And fermentation is done in temperature-controlled vats. Together, this results in an explosive array of bright, juicy fruit aromas and flavors, raspberry and cherry being the most prominent. There’s a hint of rose petals as well… not so much in the flavor, but in the nose… a delicate whiff of flowers that seduces you before the intense fruit flavors take charge! If you like $35-40 Pinot Noir… well, I will happily keep selling it to you… but you really ought to give this a shot. Just ridiculous quality for the money.
Almanova Description
91 pts Penin Guide - Spain’s Most Trusted Spanish Wine Review
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