Avancia Cuvee De O Mencia 2016

Ideally drink now through 2025

Made of 100% Mencia, this medium bodied ruby colored wine has scents of mineral tinged cherries and a hint of chocolate. Young, delicate, and fruit forward, on the palate the Cuvee De O Mencia tastes of ripe blackberry, black cherry, and spiced rum cake, and a hint of lavender on the slightly tannic finish.

Pure and fleshy in its flavors, this wine is a versatile pairing partner for many dishes. A charcuterie plate would be a perfect match, but it would pair equally well with a rich turkey entrée cooked in a tomato or wine based sauce.

Bodegas Avancia is located in Northwest Spain, in the Valdeorras DO. Protected from fierce Atlantic winds by mountain ranges, the vineyards for the Cuvee De O Mencia are between 50-70 years old, and planted on slate soils at an altitude of 550-650 meters above sea level. Dry farmed, these old vines have very low yields of just under one ton per acre, leading to wines that are rich in flavor, color, and complexity. The grapes are pressed in a basket press, which extracts tannins efficiently but with minimal pressure. Aging on the lees for eight months in French oak barriques also lends complexity and softer texture to the wine.