Oliver’s Taranga Mencia 2022

Mencìa is a variety that comes from north west Spain and the Wright family of Oliver’s Tauranga are proving it can flourish in McLaren Vale. There’s a lot going on here – initially aromas are of violets, black cherries and blackberries. With time in the glass it becomes more mineral and savoury with beetroot leaves, and Dutch salted licorice.

It’s rich with a lick of menthol and flavours of dripping-ripe blood plums. Beetroot flavours show up again but this time slowly roasted and caramelised. There’s a hint of white pepper and the dried herbs of a carefully layered Bouquet Garni.  Pencil-shaving tannins continue the savoury finish. 

Drink with roasted eppglant and capsicum finished with silky hommus and toasted sesame.