Bierzo, Spain.....
"The 2007 El Castro de Valtuille Joven is 100% Mencia from the DO of Bierzo. Dark ruby-colored, it reveals an enticing perfume of baking spices, eucalyptus/pine notes, black cherry, and black raspberry. This leads to a smooth-textured, sweet, forward wine with no hard edges. Drink this lengthy effort over the next several years. It is a terrific introduction to the Mencia grape and the Bierzo region." RP-90pts.
Mencia is one of those interesting grapes that is just starting to gain the spotlight. A handful of DOs in northwest Spain produce the grape varietal, but the most famous is Bierzo. And one of the top producers in Bierzo is Castro Ventosa. The Perez family founded the estate in 1752 and has owned it ever since. They have 75 hectares and their best parcels are planted in the sandy soils of Valtuille de Abajo. Old vine fruit dominates here, with some pre-phyloxera vines that are more than 100-years-old. The oldest parcels are reserved for another wine so the Joven is made from the youngest vines, which happen to range from 20 to 40 years of age.