O Estranxeiro Ribeira Sacra Mencía 2023

Winemaking

O Estranxeiro represents a thoughtful, quality-focused approach to Mencía production in one of Spain's most underrated regions. The winery prioritizes expressing the distinctive mineral character and natural acidity of Ribeira Sacra, allowing the terroir to speak through restrained winemaking and careful fruit selection.

Tasting Notes

This 2022 Mencía opens with elegant aromas of red cherry and plum, layered with subtle slate and herbaceous notes that hint at the region's granitic soils. On the palate, bright acidity and silky tannins frame flavors of tart red fruit and mineral notes, creating a wine that feels fresh and energetic without heaviness. A clean, persistent finish carries a pleasant peppery spice that lingers pleasantly, inviting another sip.

Producer

O Estranxeiro is a small, quality-driven producer focused on showcasing the authentic character of Ribeira Sacra's traditional varieties. The winery works thoughtfully with the region's steep, challenging vineyard sites, allowing lower yields and careful viticulture to concentrate flavor and complexity in the glass.

Terroir

Ribeira Sacra, nestled in Galicia's inland reaches along the Sil and Miño rivers, is a region of dramatic topography and ancient granitic soils that give Mencía its signature minerality and tension. The steep terrain and continental-influenced climate create ideal conditions for slow ripening, preserving the varietal's natural acidity and elegant red-fruit profile while building complexity in the bottle.

Food Pairings

Try this wine with pan-seared duck breast finished with a cherry gastrique, or with grilled lamb chops seasoned simply with rosemary and sea salt. For a casual evening, it pairs beautifully with aged Spanish chorizo, manchego cheese, and crusty bread—a natural fit with its Iberian heritage.