The two red wines mentioned in this article are both produced from grape varieties that are probably not terribly familiar to most wine lovers…
The first is Mencía, known as Jaen in Portugal. This is a grape variety that is native to the western portion of the Iberian Peninsula. In Spain, it is planted on over 22,000 acres, with another 6,200 acres in neighboring Portugal.
Early on, most of the wines produced from Mencía were light, pale, relatively fragrant vintages meant for early consumption. This style of wine was the result of grapes planted on fertile plains, which produced exceptionally high yields… but also diluted wines. Recently, however, this scenario has changed significantly. A new generation of winemakers, relying primarily upon old vines growing on hillsides, in combination with careful vineyard management, has produced a series of deeply concentrated, complex vintages. This, in turn, has led to a renewed interest in Mencía. Indeed, since the 1990s, the grape has continued to increase in popularity, as have the number of noted Spanish winemakers working with it.
The 2016 Marqués de Toro Finca la Moura Mencía, for example, recently received a whopping 94-point rating and an Editors’ Choice designation from Wine Enthusiast magazine. Opaquely purple in color with pleasant aromas of ripe black fruit and hints of oak, this wine is lush and elegant on the palate, leading to a decidedly smooth and silky finish.
Listed at $38.00 suggested retail, this excellent old-vines wine is currently on sale at Pennsylvania State Stores for a paltry $9.99. An absolutely incredible wine at an equally incredible price point.
The second varietal is Mourvèdre, also known as Monastrell or Mataro. This red wine grape is grown in many countries around the world, including the Rhône and Provence regions of France. In Spain, it is especially popular in Valencia and Jumilla. In addition to making red varietal wines, Mourvèdre is a prominent component in GSM – Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre – blends. Mourvèdre tends to produce tannic wines that can be high in alcohol. And while the style of wine may vary greatly depending upon where it is produced, Mourvèdre wines are often characterized as having wild game and/or earthy notes.
… And the 2018 Ego Bodegas Infinito Monastrell fits this profile perfectly. In the glass, it is dark cherry-red in color with intense aromas of ripe plum and hints of earth & spice. On the palate, it’s powerful (a heady 15% alcohol) but well-structured with sleek, well-integrated tannins. The taste is rich, so this is a great match for red meats, game, roasted lamb, and blue cheese.
This is another highly-rated (93-points) Editors’ Choice recipient from Wine Enthusiast. But the best part is the price… Listed as $58.00 (and up) retail, this is another major bargain at PA State Stores… $16.99. If you enjoy a hefty red wine that still maintains a touch of class, it’s time to stock up.
Cheers!
Be Safe & Stay Well
TAD
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