Bodegas y Viñedos Merayo, Merayo Mencia, DO Bierzo, Spain, 2023

Producer Profile

There is rather lovely balance of old and young at Merayo.

80 year old Mencia bush vines give their fruit to the young, dynamic winemaker Juan Merayo who then crafts wonderful wines full of fresh, perfumed characters and ripe red fruit evocative of Mencia. Everything is handpicked with the appropriate reverence for these octogenarian vines before the grapes receive careful temperature controlled ferments and sensitive use of French and American oak to ensure Juan creates the expressive wines he is looking for.

Viticulture

The key to the Merayo wines are the ancient Mencía bush vines where even the entry level wine is made from vineyards established over 80 years ago. The vines for the Mencía average 60 years and are planted on slopes, as well as some from 20 year old trellised vines. Soil is composed mainly of clay with pebbles near the surface.

Winemaking

Maceration and fermentation for 10 days in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Ageing on its fine lees for a period of 6 months and a period of 1 week of micro-oxygenation. Final stabilisation and bottling.

Oak Ageing

No oak ageing

Tasting Note

This red has all the fresh, perfumed characters and ripe red fruit typical of Mencia. Vibrant and clear purplish red colour. An intense bouquet, very fresh with predominant berry and floral (violet) notes. Powerful and sweet on the palate. Spacious, fresh and creamy. The tannins are ripe and rounded, and the berry, ripe fruit, and floral as well as spicy notes on the nose appear again on the palate. A wonderfully long, persistent finish.

Food Matching

Perfect with roasted meats, game and hard cheeses.