Guimaro Mencia 2021 [WA 92]

Wine Advocate 92 points. The young red 2021 Vino Tinto is one of the first 2021 reds from Galicia that I taste from bottle. 2021 is supposed to be a return to the conditions of the vintages from yesteryear—cooler and with less ripeness, lower alcohol and more acidity but also viticultural challenges. This is always a sure value, and it is mostly Mencía with some 15% other local reds (Brancellao, Merenzao, Garnacha Tintorera, Mouratón, Negreda, Sousón, Caíño...) sourced from old vineyards. It is young and fermented in stainless steel and was kept in contact with the lees for four to eight months before being bottled unoaked. This has a pale and bright color, denoting youth. The nose is very expressive and showy. It's low in alcohol (12.5%) and is a little lighter, fresh, fruit-driven and easy to drink. It was bottled a couple of weeks before I tasted it, in late January. 120,000 bottles produced. LG Mar 2022. #RAUL