91 2009 Luna Beberide Art (Bierzo) 12/15/13 ($30)
100% Mencia 14% alc
Color: Deep garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Bordeaux-like cedar complements sweet black currant and blackberry fruit. Reminiscent of CA Syrah (3.0) Body: Concentrated fruit and excellent acidity with smooth tannins. Light Heavyweight that coats the mouth nicely. (3.0) Flavor: Delicious, juicy fruit comes on here. (3.5) Finish: Lush fruit lingers, but shows a slight bitterness from oak. (3.0)
Overall: This is delicious stuff, but the cedary oak holds it back at first. The blackberry/black currant fruit is juicy and concentrated, more than meeting the spicy oak treatment. CA Syrah-like in style. Should improve in the next 3-5 years. As is true with many fine Mencias, I think this would be even better if the old vines fruit was allowed to shine through the oak more. Still a very good value at $30. (15.5)
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