Alvaredos-Hobbs Mencia Ribeira Sacra Galicia 2020 (Valdeorras, Spain) - [WE 95] [DM 95] [TP 93] [VM 92] [JS 92]

Alvaredos-Hobbs Mencia Ribeira Sacra Galicia 2020
(Valdeorras, Spain) - [WE 95] [DM 95] [TP 93] [VM 92] [JS 92]


$82.00 $59.97 Save $22.03
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WE95 DM95 TP93 VM92 JS92
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Native to the northwestern corner of the Iberian Peninsula, mencía is known for its thick skins and dark fruit and floral characteristics. When planted in hillside regions with poor soils the vines thrive to produce beautifully structured, age-worthy aromatic red wines. 

100% Mencía fermented using native yeasts and aged 12 months in oak barrels (225L), 35% new oak. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points & Editor's Choice - Wine Enthusiast:

"This dark violet-colored wine has a nose of black cherry, roasted yellow pepper and vanilla with a touch of brine. There is a pleasant sense of brininess on the palate as well, mingling with blackberry, raspberry, orange zest, fennel bulb, black olive and clove flavors. Tannins start out soft and increase in intensity until they coat the tongue and gums and then drift off into a spicy finish." - Mike DeSimone (Oct 2024)

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Co-owner Paul Hobbs has long experience in California, as well as interests in Argentina, Cahors and Armenia. The Ribeira Sacra winery takes its name from the village of Alvaredos, the family home of Hobbs’ business partner Antonio López Fernández. The Mencía, from vines aged 10-15 years, was fermented and aged for 12 months in 225-litre French oak barrels, 35% new. Sarah Jane Evans MW: Elegant dark plum aromas. Palate is supple and elegant, with a fine texture from the oak, developing into broad pomegranate and plum. Beth Willard: Really appealing, elegant nose with notes of blood orange, macerated cherries and redcurrant. Elegant and refined despite intensity. David Williams: Highly attractive, pure nose. Refined and elegant palate, with a lovely sensuous feel; very deep, luxurious but light on its feet with the requisite pulse of red-fruited acidity on the finish." - Sarah Jane Evans MW (Mar 2023)

93 Points - Tasting Panel:
"Paul Hobbs partnered with Galician viticulturist Antonio Lopez to create this wine made from a variety indigenous to the region. Juicy and charming, it maintains a savory tone, with notes of black cherry, white pepper, herbes de Provence, and heather. A hint of hibiscus brightens the midpalate, followed by deeper flavors of coffee bean and graphite."

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2020 Mencía Alvaredos-Hobbs comes from Ribeira Sacra. Garnet-hued, it opens with aromas of pomegranate and raspberry. The 2020 has a ripe character with smoky, woody notes, subtle volatility and a graphite tone. Juicy and broad, it delivers measured freshness and fullness, evoking a high-altitude Argentine style. It is fine and energetic, with balanced vibrancy." - Joaquin Hidalgo (Feb 2025)

92 Points - James Suckling:
"Juicy black cherries and mulberries with hints of dried herbs, stems and white pepper. Plenty of crunchy, tart berries deliver a succulent mouth-feel to the tight, medium-bodied palate, rounded by fresh, structured but silky tannins. Drink now." (Mar 2023)