Weekly Wine Review - Spanish Red - 2013 Algueira Ribeira Sacra Mencia

My experience to date with Spanish wines made with the Mencia grape has been restricted to Bierzo. I quickly became, and remain a very big fan of Mencia wines. When I came across this wine, the first I've found from Bierzo's neighbor Ribeira Sacra - I knew I had to give it a try.

Wine: 2013 Algueira Ribeira Sacra Mencia

Region: Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, Spain
Grape Varieties: Mencia

Obtained from: Purchased at K&L Wines, Hollywood, CA

Price: $17

Wino4Life Category: Everyday Wine

Aeration before tasting: Just a swirl or two, no special aeration.

Cork Condition: Natural cork - no defects or issues.

Appearance: Clear, dark red with a pink rim.

Aroma: Cherries, pepper - not as much as I would expect.

Taste: Fresh, fruity, some mineralogy, and a pleasant fruity finish. Not what I was expecting from my experience with Bierzo wines...none of the spice I get with other Mencia based wines I've tried. After a little research I discovered this Joven (young) wine is made 100% in stainless steel...no barrel aging.

The Grade: I give this one a B.  Honestly I don't drink many un-oaked red wines. The complexity of flavor and aroma added by barrel aging is one of the most interesting aspects of wine to me. I did enjoy this wine - fruity and clearly well made. It would be a great wine for a white wine drinker looking to move to red wine. For my preference, $17 is a bit much for an un-oaked wine - that's why I'll give this one a "B" - but a really yummy "B"!