Armas de Guerra Bierzo Mencia Rosado

A historic winery founded in 1879, making wines with old vines 50+ years old, from dry-farmed vineyards. In addition Guerra controls one-third of all the vineyard land in Bierzo (1,000 ha or 2,471 acres) and only makes wine with the best 10% of the grapes harvested. 100% Mencia. Vines planted since 1963. Tended in river stone and clay soil at 525 m (1,722 ft) elevation. The free-run juice is drained at low temperature without previous maceration and under an inert atmosphere. Alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks for 12 days at 12C. 100% unoaked. This is a vegan wine.

Pale pink. Lively red berry and orange zest scents are complemented by fresh floral and white pepper flourishes. Juicy and precise, offering bitter red currant and tangerine flavors that deepen and become sweeter on the back half. Taut and nervy on the finish, which hangs on with good spicy persistence.