Alvarez de Toledo - Mencia Roble 2020
- Producer Alvarez de Toledo
- Blend 100% Mencia
- Country Spain
- Region Castilla Y Leon
- Appellation Bierzo
- UPC 0 15643 25595 3
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Item# 98116-20
James Suckling
91pt
Tasting notes
Our wine stands out because of its marked fruity character which brings out all the qualities and characteristics of the Mencia variety. Its time in the barrel accentuates these qualities by providing subtlety, elegance and complexity. In mouth is silky, fruity, with persistence and great kindness.
Vineyard
Vineyards are located in the most traditional area for production in El Bierzo at an altitude of between 420 and 500m. The bunches are destemmed and squeezed gently, then they are fermented in stainless steel tanks with temperature control. The fermentation process lasts 12 days, during which pumpings over are made to facilitate the extraction of tannins and color.
Appellation
According to the history of the D.O. Bierzo appellation, the beginning of the culture of winemaking in the region goes back to the Greeks and Phoenicians with the important influence of the Roman Empire. With almost 10,000 acres of vineyards, some of them more than a hundred years old, El Bierzo is situated in the northwest of Spain. It is protected by mountains and possesses a own unique microclimate with influences from Galicia and the plateau of Castilla y Léon that keep away premature frosts in the Spring. The region has higher rainfall averages and cooler temperatures than central and southern Spain which results in bright, fruity wines that are generally higher in acidity and lower in alcohol. Producing very versatile and food friendly wines this is an up and coming appellation.
Grapes
Bierzo is located in a sheltered mountain valley in north-west Spain, adjacent to the province of León. The area is known for its distinctive red wines from the Mencía grape, which is best compared to the Cabernet Franc, because it also produces purple-colored wines full of juicy red fruit and a pleasant acidity. Especially the wines from the Mencia grape from Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras and Bierzo are highly valued. Bierzo is even announced in various media as 'the next best thing'. Delicious with tapas with Serrano ham.
