d'Arenberg The Anthroprocene Epoch Mencia 2019

d'Arenberg The Anthroprocene Epoch Mencia 2019

  08:30    Stu.

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On aromatics alone it's a good rendition of a Ribeira Sacra, with a dense core of red fruit amidst a savoury, almost smokey - but not quite rubbery (an oft sighted quality in this appelation) - background

It's soft, gentle, with a fine and tight tannin structure. Seemingly a wine of contrast: fruit and savoury; gentle and grainy. It's all the better for it, approachable and yet cerebral. 

Well made, also perhaps a nod to vines hitting their straps. 92

Tasted on: Thursday 10th December 
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol:
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.darenberg.com.au

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d'Arenberg The Anthropocene Era Mencia 2017

d'Arenberg The Anthropocene Era Mencia 2017

  08:30    Stu.

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Second release of a Mencia as a varietal, from the d'Arenberg crew. 

Mencia is interesting and this example is no exception. The wine in question combines a dark fruit mix against an - almost - sulphurous and slightly reductive edge. Primary, somewhat raw, like a fermenting mass. In your glass. Intriguing, inviting. 

Light to medium bodied, dark and brooding. Possesses a charred edge, like grilled capsicums. The tannin profile provides a coarser edge to the wine's initial lightness, a welcoming contrast. 

A bit arms and legs, pleasurable experience nonetheless. 89 

Tasted on: Thursday 30th November, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 13.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.darenberg.com.au/

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Quartz Hill Mencia 2016

Quartz Hill Mencia 2016

  16:30    Stu.

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Good to see the number of producers of Mencia in Australia on the increase.

Not the strongest aromatic game here, not from a fruit perspective at least. Then, Mencia is like that. If anything, watermelon, again not the strongest fruit aromatically. 

Aromatics not its strength. Instead, it's really a bone dry offering, flecks of white pepper - Pyrenees terroir on hand - powder fine phenolics. Does come across as a little lean and hard. Its best months - the warmer ones - are ahead of it. 88 

Tasted on: Thursday 25th May, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $22
Alcohol: 12%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.quartzhillwines.com.au/

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La Linea Lenswood Mencia 2016

La Linea Lenswood Mencia 2016

  18:32    Stu.

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I've a curious soft spot for Mencia, after having been lured in to the variety via a magnificent example from Guimo. Of course, a few Aussies are now having a play with the variety, of which d'Arenberg's stab is also reviewed on these pages. Anyway, i'd long since give up hope of tasting this - long sold out - example from the Adelaide Hills, save for finding a bottle in the wonderful East End Cellars.


Admittedly tasted from the cheapest stemware in a hotel room. Has the florals mixed with a little savoury edge. 

What strikes me about the wine is this beautiful balance of fruit meets freshening-about-you acidity with a minerality. 

It's kind of akin to volcanic reds from Sicily in that regard. Just carries a tremendous lightness to, without sacrificing length. Joyous. 92

Tasted on: Friday 19th May, a Root to Flower day

Source: Retail, East End Cellars
Price: $28
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://lalinea.com.au/

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d'Arenberg The Anthropocene Epoch Mencia 2016

d'Arenberg The Anthropocene Epoch Mencia 2016

  14:30    Stu.

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Anthropocene

ˈanθrəpəˌsiːn/

adjective

relating to or denoting the current geological age, viewed as the period during which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment.

At the time of writing, only the fourth producer of Mencia - a grape of Spanish origin, largely found up in the rather hilly Ribeira Sacra - in Australia that i’m aware of, after Oliver’s Taranga (also McLaren Vale), La Linea (Adelaide Hills) and Dell'uva (Barossa Valley).

Vivid in the glass, smells exotic - Middle Eastern: pomegranate, hibiscus - really bright and somewhat evocative.

Thick, chewy, fairly substantive in the mouth. Silken, it glides across the palate - at striking contrast to this are meaty, somewhat ferrous tannins - provide an additional element for the palate to latch onto. Back palate shows a spike of heat/ acid, subsiding against the mouth-coating  tannin.  

A colourful addition to Australia’s technicolour winemaking landscape. 90

Tasted on: Thursday 30th March, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $29
Alcohol: 14.2%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://shop.darenberg.com.au/

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Guimaro Mencia 2012

Guimaro Mencia 2012

  08:19    Stu.

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It was a a beautiful piece on the wines of Ribeira Sacra in the first edition of alquimie that first brought the wines of Pedro Perez and Guimaro to my attention; it was a wonderful wine store in Brisbane - Craft - that allowed me the opportunity to find it on the shelf and to subsequently consume.

This is an entry level Mencia from Guimero, the single vineyard wines command much higher prices, made in the Joven style. You can get an appreciation for the level of inputs required to make the wines from the panorama above, steep terraced hillsides - reminiscent of Portugal's Douro. 

Rubber and decomposing florals soon blow off to reveal a bright floral perfume, wild strawberry over a little black forest fruit.

Medium bodied, smooth, nigh pastille-like entry; cherry, raspberry and acidic freshness complete the palate's make-up. A little savoury pitch on the back palate, a woody twist, with tannin barely noticeable. 91

Tasted on: Thursday 18th September, a Flower day
Source: Retail, Craft Red Hill
Price: $37 RRP
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Cork
Website: http://www.guimaro.es/
Importer: http://www.thespanishacquisition.com/

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