88 2009 Pago de Valdetruchas La Muria (Bierzo) 11/12/10 ($18)
100% Mencia 13.5% alc
Color: Deep purple-garnet. (3.0) Bouquet: Leather and gamy meat nuances complement cherry and black raspberry with some spice and cedar. (3.0) Body: Solid middleweight with very good fruit and acidity, also a touch of tannin. Could be richer in the mouth. (2.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but less expressive and has a touch of tannic bitterness. (2.5) Finish: Parallels bouquet, showing more elegance than the flavor. Long and smooth. (3.0)
Overall: Very good Mencia with rustic nuances of leather, game, herbs and spices (Northern Rhone like) combined with attractive cherry and black raspberry fruit (red Loire like). An interesting combination, but not distinctive or structured enough to be going anywhere. Nonetheless, a very enjoyable food wine to be drunk now and in the next 2 years. (14.0)