Oliver’s Taranga Vineyards Mencia 2024

Unlike some of the other more recent Mediterranean varieties introduced to Australian vineyards, Mencia is easy to remember and pronounce, even if lacking the Spanish lisp. Deep purple in colour, the density of colour belies the freshness on both nose and palate. Juicy, jumpy, fleshy, yet effortlessly bright, the nose abounds with berry sweetness, musk stick, dried florals, red jube frog, a lick of graphite pencil and oodles of minerality. There’s no shortage of red berried fruit sweetness on the palate, but this is most certainly a dry wine with a refreshing crunch of acidity, a pop of all spice and chalky, red dust tannins and a liquorice strap finish. Bright, zippy, crunchy, juicy and altogether moreish. The perfect slurpable, yet fresh and zippy summer red. This makes a great case for more Mencia in McLaren Vale.