Brezo Mencía 2024

Brezo is a young red from Bodegas Mengoba in D.O. Bierzo, north-west Spain, a blend led by Mencía with a smaller share of Alicante Bouschet. The fruit comes from plots in Horta and Villafranca del Bierzo, where the average vine age is around fifty years and the clay and sandy soils sit at about 550 metres. Bierzo's sheltered valley and Atlantic-influenced climate give Mencía its hallmark freshness, floral lift and stony grip, while Alicante Bouschet, a teinturier variety with red flesh, adds depth of colour and dark fruit. The harvest is done by hand into small boxes to keep the bunches whole, and the grapes are sorted, destemmed and gently crushed. Made without oak, the wine keeps its primary, vivid fruit and varietal minerality. The colour is a bright, deep ruby. The nose is perfumed, with fresh cherry and raspberry over a floral, violet note. The palate is light to medium bodied, juicy and fresh, with fine tannins, lively acidity and a peppery, slatey finish. This is a wine to enjoy young while the fruit is at its brightest. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees, lightly cool. It works with roast chicken, charcuterie and grilled fish.