Luna Beberide Mencia 2018 - Jancis Robinson's Wine of the Week

Nov 22, 2019

Master of Wine Jancis Robinson has selected Luna Beberide M Mencia 2018 as her Wine of the Week, calling it, "A bargain Spanish red from a favourite very local grape variety."

She writes:

"I have long been fascinated by the Mencía grape of north-west Spain...It’s the combination of perfume and sheer juiciness that immediately appealed to me when I first tasted Mencía back in the last century...this M bottling of Villafranca del Bierzo fruit is pure Mencía unadorned by oak. Alejandro [Luna, Winemaker] says of it, 'I mix old and young vines as I look for fruit and freshness in the wine. I like it a bit childlike. I like the idea of it being uncomplicated but really pleasurable.'

"My tasting note on the 13% M bottling in 2018, a dry year in which the crop was reduced by spring frosts: 'Deep, quite dark crimson. Some of the pure zest and lift of this grape variety on the nose. Beautiful balance – no oak gets in the way of the varietal expression. This would be a great teaching aid. Persists right to the end of the palate. Excellent freshness while not being remotely wimpy. Very good value.'

You can read her full review of the winery and their line-up of wines, here.