Bodegas Avancia "Nobleza" Old Vines Mencia 2021
(Valdeorras, Spain) - [WE 93] [WS 92]

Winemaker Notes:

Bodegas Avancia is located in obarco de valdeorras, in the heart of valdeorras. 90% mencía, 10% garnacha tintorera, mouratón (juan garcía), gran negro, sousón, cariñena aeiroá. Single vineyard with three small parcels located on the southern bank of the river sil on 30˚ slopes. Oriented northeast. planted 1948-1963. Traditional dry farmed viticulture. bodegas avancia practices organic and does not use any chemically synthesized fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Primarily slate soils intermixed with small quantities of quartz. Mediterranean/continental climate with an atlantic influence. Very cold winters and very warm summers.  

A field blend from one of the oldest and most heroic vineyards in Valdeorras, Avancia Mencía Viñas Viejas is a small production wine that exemplifies the style of the reds of Valdeorras - ethereal,mineral, floral, lifted, but with a glass staining youthful concentration that sets itself from other Galician reds. As a northern oriented vineyard site, Aeiróa ripens patiently and late in the season, which allows the grapes to maintain high levels of acidity and balance. A percentage of carbonic maceration and stem inclusion brings a crunchy texture and lift to an otherwise powerful wine. 

Hand harvested in 10kg crates for transportation to the winery. Sorting of the bunches at the winery followed by pre-fermentative maceration and fermentation in 600l open-top neutral french barrels. 1/3 of the production went through maceration and fermentation on whole clusters, 2/3 with a traditional destemmed (but not crushed) elaboration. Very soft extraction, seeking high quality tannins. Pressed in a small, vertical basket press. Malolactic fermentation in used 225l french barrique followed by 8 months in barrel. Eight months in used french oak barrique (2nd through 5th use). Aged for a further four months in bottle before release.  

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast

"Aromas of cassis, dark plums and dried Mediterranean herbs pave the way for cherry, raspberry, milk-chocolate, black-olive paste and violet flavors. Tannins come on a little strong at first and then slowly dissolve into a smooth finish." - July 18, 2023, Mike DeSimone

92 Points - Wine Spectator

"A fresh, elegant red, offering juicy blackberry and black raspberry fruit notes paired with a savory thread of cured tobacco, milled pepper and mineral, with supple tannins. Floral finish. Drink now through 2028. 250 cases made, 125 cases imported." - March 30, 2023, Alison Napjus