Wine Enthusiast:  Rated as An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. "The 2008 Flavium Premium Mencia spent 20 months in French and American oak. Opulent, rich, and lengthy, it has the balance to drink well for 6-8 years but at the asking price most consumers will want to grab some immediate gratification." Jun 2011

Winery:  "Lively ruby red color.  On the nose are some persistent aromas from being aged in wood as well as mature fruits and bilberries (a blueberry relative). Well-balanced and structured on the palate."

What's Mencia?:    Mencia is a red grape which hails from Bierzo, a small, ancient region in the northwestern corner of Castilla y León, Spain, almost on the eastern border of Galicia, which is due north of Portugal on the Atlantic coast.  Mencia is used to produce aromatic and fruity wines with intense color and with great ageing capability.  "...Most wine drinkers, I suspect, have never heard of Bierzo, but word is getting around. And if you get the oppurtunity to taste a good bottle, with its haunting, exotic wildflower, licorice and fruit flavors, you can't help but remember it." ~Eric Asimov, New York Times, May 31, 2006

Wired For Wine:  It's the weekend, winelovers, so we are redoubling our never-ending efforts to get you out of your wine rut. Check out this rich, opulent killer value Vinos de Arganza Flavium (Crianza) Mencia from Spain.  As wine and food writer for The Times, Eric Asimov states, you won't soon forget this great, lesser known grape.  Now the Mencia grape is known for lending great agebility to its wines; it will sit quietly in your wine cabinet for several more years, or you can dive in now.  If you've chosen the latter, fill your glasses and get acquainted with this rojo español while you snack on Spanish ham, Manchego and fig tartines.  Happy now? Prepare to get even happier when you contemplate the main course...  This Vinos de Arganza's beautiful balance and structure,  dark, mature fruit and luscious nature make it a natural with meats on the heartier side like game, lamb and beef.  Our first choice is a Cocido Lebaniego, a Cantabrian meat stew with chickpeas.  Beware though, it will taunt you mercilessly with the most delicious aromas for hours while it's cooking; this choice is not for the faint of heart.  Roast pork tenderloin rubbed with paprika, garlic, almonds and Madeira won't disappoint either.  Another simple yet perfect combination are olive crusted racks of lamb.  At this price, you'd better have at least two bottles waiting in the wings.  Refill the glasses and savor a creamy and tangy Los Beyos cheese from Spain.  ¡La vida es corta! ¡Bebida, winelovers!

Size:  750ml; cork
Varietal:  100% Mencia
Alcohol:  @12.5%
Ageing:  20 months in French and American oak
Region:  Bierzo, Castilla y León, Spain