The four wines from Casto Ventosa are 100% Mencia. The best of this trio is the 2001 Valtuille Cepas Centenarias. Purple-colored it exhibits a splendid nose of earth, cedar, tobacco, black currant and blackberry liqueur. Mouth-filling and rich, the wine has layer upon layer of ripe fruit and superb balance. Still youthful, this beautiful Mencia will benefit from several years of additional bottle age and should provide pleasure through 2021. Importer: Bryce McNamee, Boutique Wine Collection, Philadelphia, PA; tel. (914) 954- 6583

This red shows concentration with a few rough edges. The flavors range from blackberry and espresso to raisin and walnuts, and the tannins are ripe, if a bit dry. Deep and powerful, but needs food to smooth it out. Drink now through 2009. 250 cases imported.??–TM??Region: Spain / Bierzo Select to Add