92 2007 Luna Beberide Finca la Cuesta (Bierzo) 5/15/10 ($22)
100% Mencia 14% alc
Color: Deep black cherry. (3.0) Bouquet: Rich, ripe black cherry, cola and papaya with spicy vanilla bean. Impressive purity to the fruit. (3.5) Body: Silky mouthfeel with excellent fruit and acidity and some tannin. Solid middleweight. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet. Delicious. (3.5) Finish: Parallels flavor, but the cherry fruit becomes more tart. Still long and tasty. (3.0)
Overall: Pure, delicious black cherry fruit with papaya, cola and spicy vanilla in the mix. Very lively with excellent acidity and even a little tannin underneath. Reminds me of a top-notch, elegantly-styled Pinot Noir from the Santa Rita Hills, but with Mencia fruit and a spicy, Spanish flare. May be even better than the outstanding '05 version. Great value!! (16)
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