2014 Fazenda Prádio Mencía MNC M.C
2014 Fazenda Prádio Mencía MNC M.C
Price: $21
Region: Ribera Sacra < Spain
Grapes: Mencía
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Certified biodynamic farming, granite soil, minimal SO2
Winemaker: Javier Soeanes
When D.O. Ribera Sacra tried to tell Javier Soeanes how to make his wine, he bailed. He crafts it without intervention from the biodynamically farmed fruit he grows a terraced cliff overlooking the Miño river. Xavi picks his fruit early, when it’s firm and fresh, as his abuelos did two generations ago, before acidification became common practice in the region. Vinified via carbonic maceration using whole clusters and only free-run juice, the result is pure Mencía, with soul. It’s dark and plush, but so juicy and light on it’s feet, with bright red fruit and subtly herbaceous and vegetal notes. It is absolutely delightful on it’s own, or serve, slightly chilled, with paella or patatas bravas.