The 2005 El Pecado (“The Sin”) is 100% Mencia from Ribera Sacra sourced from an insanely steep hillside (which makes Jackass Hill look like a putting green). It received the same elevage as its peers resulting in an opaque purple-colored wine with an exotic, kinky aromatic array featuring notes of scorched earth, tar, slate, black raspberry, and black cherry. Ripe and sweet, the wine manages to conceal enough silky tannin for 6-8 years of further evolution. Sleek, elegant, and altogether hedonistic, this is without question the finest example of Mencia to have crossed these lips. If it evolves as I expect it will, my score will ultimately look conservative. These are brilliant, artisanal, hand-crafted wines that words simply cannot begin to describe. They must be experienced to be believed. Importer: Patrick Mata, Ole Imports; www.oleimports.com