Mendocino County

Cork

Mencía is still a rarity in the U.S. The Saintsbury wine is made with fruit from a small parcel (about 2,5 acres) at Alder Springs in Mendocino, Northern California, planted in 2019 on a decomposed sandstone hillside. Winemaker Tim Colla explains that these young vines, planted to 100% Mencía, give a very different expression from the old, traditional field-blended vineyards of Spain. Since Mencía brings plenty of tannin and can turn rustic, Colla’s approach is intentionally gentle. He picks on the early side to keep alcohol low and preserve acidity, and handles the grapes carefully in the cellar with light extraction and minimal pump-overs and punch-downs. The 2024 vintage was fermented with about 50% whole clusters using native yeast, then aged in a mix of neutral barrels and puncheons. I see this wine leaning somewhere between Pinot Noir and Syrah: floral and lifted, with a graphite edge and a slightly wild, savory character, a touch of spice. The palate is bright and clean, more about energy and line than weight.

Mencía

Saintsbury, Mencia Alder Springs Vineyard, Mendocino County, California, USA, 2024

Mencía is still a rarity in the U.S. The Saintsbury wine is made with fruit from a small parcel (about 2,5 acres) at Alder Sprin

Saintsbury, Mencia Alder Springs Vineyard, Mendocino County

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