Cellar Craft Old Vines Mencia (UPDATE)

[ibglowin]

Holy Cow......

This was a Limited Release from 2009 I think. I bought it on "close out" from FVW. People didn't buy it because they had never tried it I guess. I just opened the first full bottle. Thats right, 1st FULL bottle..... Its exactly 2 years old now. This guy spent 3 months in a Vadai followed by a year of bulk aging followed by an extra ounce of Med Toast French Oak beans along with a nice dose of Tancor Grand Cru.

I knew it was going to be good as the splits I had tried at 12 and 14 months were exceptional but I really didn't think a "kit" wine could taste this good. This thing is amazing. Its like a Pinot Noir on STEROIDS. Absolutely no "kit wine" taste what so ever. I am my own worst enemy when it comes to my wines but this guy is no less than exceptional.....

 

[eblasmn9]

It is an exceptional wine. It was the first red wine kit I made in November of 2010. I wasn't too impressed until the 1 year mark at Thanksgiving of 2011. I knew I had a good wine then. At 28 months it is now as you say "exceptional" It is like a pinot noir, but better. There is a spiciness on the finish that is quite addictive and it has very smooth tannins. I am really hoping that a kit company will offer Mencia again. I wouldn't hesitate to make it. I have 7 bottles left and will take my time consuming them.

 

[ibglowin]

Excellent to hear! Some of these vines are 60 years old. Most are grown on rocky hillsides which contribute to the unique flavor. This wine is now in FULL rotation!

 

[tonyt]

Here we go again! Don't y'all just love it when folks (myself included) post comments about how wonderful a wine is from a kit that IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. I do it all the time with the RJS EP Trapani Syrah from several years ago.
That's just wonderful Mike, FOR YOU!
Really, that wine had a lot going for it, special limited find, closeout price, barrel time, your tweaks and two years rest. Oh, and an excellent vintner. Congrats!

 

[ibglowin]

Thanks Tony! I am just about out of any/all wines that have not have any Vadai barrel time. It really is amazing what these tweaks (and time of course) can do. The wines that I still have that did not have any Vadai barrel time are no just comparison quality wise.

 

[robie]

That's great to hear, Mike. Gotta love what a Vadai can do for a wine.