El Pájaro Rojo, Mencía, Bierzo, Spain, 2013

From 30- to 40-year-old vines on clay and slate soils, this meaty Mencía is complex yet juicy, with notes of black cherry and raspberry on the nose, spiced up with some earthy characters and black pepper. On a textured palate with subtle tannins, it offers bitter cherry and meaty characters. This is a wine that will appeal to any lover of southern Rhône styles.