Mengoba Bierzo Brezo Mencia 2023

Gregorio Pérez’s entry-level Mencía comes from multiple remote parcels of 30- to 60-year-old vines dotted around the slate-rich hillsides of Valtuille and Villafranca del Bierzo. The blend also takes in a splash of Godello and Garnacha Tintorera (Alicante Bouschet)—a legacy of the traditional make-up of Bierzo’s vineyards. Pérez destemmed 80% of his fruit to pursue something pure, refreshing and juicy, and the wine fermented spontaneously in stainless-steel tanks. Bottled early to capture all that joyous, mouthwatering Mencía character, this is an excellent port of call if you fancy a detour from Cru Beaujolais or Loire Cabernet Franc.