Mencia, Albarín Tinto, Asturias, Spain

Hitting all the right notes, just like the travelling band of musically-inclined creatures on the label! Winemaker Francisco Asencio of Dominio del Urogallo tends several vineyards of old-vine Asturias specialties including: albarín, mencía, carrasquín, verdejo tinto, albillo & albarín negro. Asturias is also known for cider, cheese & sheep with a small wine culture almost frozen in a delicious northern-Spanish time capsule. A 50/50 blend of black-fruited mencia and citrus-forward albarín tinto from organically and biodynamically farmed vines – a mere 50 km away from the Atlantic Ocean and its unbeatable influence. The soils are delectably rich in slate, quartz, and anthracite (a lustrous coal), which give this tinto its stony bones and salty slate slab texture. Bruised leaves, lavender if it produced fruit, white pepper, tart cherry concentrate + pits & black raspberry high notes careen to the long finish. Drink alongside juicy sausages!