Pago de Valdetruchas, Bierzo (Castilla y León, Spain) Mencia 2009

 With pure fruit that packs a lot of flavor onto a relatively modest frame, this wine is reminiscent of a fine young vintage of, say, Chinon or Saint-Joseph in general stylistic profile.  However, its specific characteristics–fresh, bright cherry and berry fruit with both red and black notes–speak quite specifically of Mencia from Bierzo, which is usually marked by distinctively zesty acidity and fine-grained tannin that makes the wines in this younger, lighter style delightful to sip on their own but also marvelously versatile with food.