Algueira Mencía

Founded in 1996 and lying in the municipal district of Doade, Adega Algueira is run by wine-maker and owner, Fernando González. The white grape vines, Albariño, Treixadura, Godello and Loureiro, are dotted about over the near-vertical, steep terraces along the length of the River Sil and enjoy a marked Atlantic microclimate; whilst the red ones, Mencía, Sousón, Caiño and Merenzao, grow on the slopes opposite, shielded from the cold by a Mediterranean microclimate. All these vines lie on rocky ground covered with slaty schist.

On the oenology side, Fernando relies upon the support and advice of Raúl Pérez, and his wines have received good reviews from Robert Parker, who has awarded them excellent scores for a number of years.

Algueira Mencia is the company's little gem; a strong wine, pure in nature, with an amazing intensity of colour, so characteristic of a quality Mencia. A subtle reduced note is apparent which is perfectly acceptable and bodes well for the evolution of this lovely young wine. A good swirl of the glass releases a wonderful array of aromas, topped by strawberries and blackberries.

Plenty of punch here from the Ribeira Sacra.