Decanter 95
 
Co-owner Paul Hobbs has long experience in California, as well as interests in Argentina, Cahors and Armenia. The Ribeira Sacra winery takes its name from the village of Alvaredos, the family home of Hobbs’ business partner Antonio López Fernández. The Mencía, from vines aged 10-15 years, was fermented and aged for 12 months in 225-litre French oak barrels, 35% new. Sarah Jane Evans MW: Elegant dark plum aromas. Palate is supple and elegant, with a fine texture from the oak, developing into broad pomegranate and plum. Beth Willard: Really appealing, elegant nose with notes of blood orange, macerated cherries and redcurrant. Elegant and refined despite intensity. David Williams: Highly attractive, pure nose. Refined and elegant palate, with a lovely sensuous feel; very deep, luxurious but light on its feet with the requisite pulse of red-fruited acidity on the finish.