Where The Wild Roses Grow

Bodega Benito Santos
Mencía 2017
Ribeira Sacra
100% Mencía
Galicia, Spain
Vineyards in DO Monterrei (according to the label and website)
Winery in Ribeira Sacra DO
Sustainable farming

A beautiful shining garnet glass. At first there’s a buttery start that eases into scents of berries. Next are flowers that turn into roses. Reminds me of my mom’s rose garden. She had an array of types, colors, and some antique wild ones. It was planted on a small incline in a horseshoe shape so you could enjoy it just surrounding you and breathe in all the fragrances. One last thing on the tip of my nose is light smoke. Sipping tart and smooth black cherries, strawberries, blackberries, even maybe blueberries and still drinking roses. There’s a dark spice finish yet it’s still light and lively. Delicious elegance.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: juicy cherry and pop of roses

Here’s a little history on the winery’s founder, Benito Santos…he started out working in his grandfather’s vineyards back in the 30’s and became a huge backer of the region’s Albariño. Over the years of hard work, great achievements and awards, he became a member of the Specific Regulatory Council of Rias Baixas (1981). By 1988, he greatly helped in the creation of Rias Baixas D.O. That’s a pretty historic accomplishment. Now Bodega Benito Santos has been passed on to successors, land has expanded and other grapes have been added such as the Benito Santos Mencía from this lovely wine. All the roses that kept blooming from this bottle took my thoughts to my personal favorite rose tune, by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds ft. Kylie Minogue.

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A Natural Stomp

Mission
Tinto Uno 2016
Ribeira Sacra
Lugo, Spain
Mencía 85%, Garnacha Tintorera 10%, Godello 5%

A beautiful glass of heavy purple. Here goes the first breath…mineral and cherry. Let it do it’s thing for a bit and then chocolate, green pepper, and pretty spring flowers. Now on with the show, this one is a smooth operator from the very first sip. Cherry, strawberries, blueberries, and then here pops in olive pit, salt with a bit of earthiness and maybe, just maybe, burnt sage. No, I’m not going all hippie and cleansing the place, even though after WFH for at least 9 weeks, this place could probably use it. This is a juicy friendly wine that makes my brain cry out, “Why can’t I be at a bar or at least with friends sharing this wine! This is a velvety wine that needs to have people together and cheering it!” Also check out the Tech Notes from Mission‘s website. I love the idea of the grapes being stomped underfoot.

Pairs with Cheez-Its: mellows it all out and heightens the cheese in the Cheez-Its. Makes me want to keep drinking more, which I did way too fast. Oof.

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