Mengoba Bierzo Brezo Mencía 2020

Mengoba Brezo Mencía is a fresh, early-bottled Bierzo red from old hillside vines on slate.

Grégory Pérez's entry-level Mencía is drawn from a scatter of remote parcels of thirty- to sixty-year-old vines on the slate-rich hillsides around Valtuille and Villafranca del Bierzo. A splash of Garnacha Tintorera, the variety known elsewhere as Alicante Bouschet, and a little Godello are included for brightness, but the character of the wine comes from Pérez's high-grown Mencía, a variety that at altitude in Bierzo gives perfume and fine tannin rather than weight. Aiming for something pure and refreshing, Pérez destems around ninety per cent of the fruit and ferments with wild yeasts in stainless steel. The wine is bottled early, with no oak, to keep the juicy quality of the fruit intact. It is a good introduction to what the slate slopes of Bierzo can do at an everyday price.

Best in its first three years, and it takes a light chill. Serve with grilled chorizo, roast vegetables or a mushroom risotto at 15-16°C.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.