**+ $ La Mano Mencia Roble, 2006, Bierzo, Spain - Review and Rating

Review: La Mano Mencia Roble is a dry red wine made from the local Mencia grape. This version is from the 2006, harvested from vineyards in Bierzo, Spain, in the northwest portion of the country. The wine was aged for three months in American oak - which will lend a firmer oak "hand" in a finished wine. Alcohol comes in at 12%.

In the glass, La Mano Mencia Roble is deep burgundy red, moving to opaque away from the edges. Served immediately after opening, upon swirling, the aromas are bold of black cherry and oak.

On the palate, there is a smooth, full, deep middle of minerally cherry. The oak note is definitely there as well. Acids seem to battle with the smooth middle, not really balancing it. Tannins appear light indeed. Pleasant enough, though seems a bit jangly and ragged overall. Not sure that extra time would help, given the absence of a strong tannin backbone.

Two stars on the Spirit of Wine scale, with a plus for its aromas and overall pleasantness. Robert Parker of Wine Advocate awarded 90 points, which makes him a fair amount more enthusiastic than was I. Decent value at its price.

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*** $ Vinha Conchas Red (Tinto), 2005, Quinta da Cortezia, Estremadura, Portugal - Review and Rating

Review: Vinha Conchas Red (Tinto) is part of the Quinta da Cortezia line, hailing from the regional Portugal area of Estremadura. It is made from locally known grapes tinta roriz, touriga nacional and trincadeira. The vineyards are characterized by clay stone. Alcohol is modest - at 12.5 percent - and the wine comes to the United States at a value price.

In the glass, Vinha Conchas Red is quite deep red, almost mahogany. As I swirl the glass, aromas come swirling into the room. They are purply and bright.

When you sip, you first notice the bright red-fruit sweetness right at the front tip of your mouth. Like a fully ripe, sweet strawberry. Consistent candy strawberry and raspberry flows into your mouth. Very mild acids touch your cheeks. Tannins seem nonexistent at this point, a few years in bottle. So the finish, though quick, is sweet, clean and light.

I'd probably hold this to two stars, not being quite ready to chase a future bottle, but it gets a plus for outstanding balance and friendliness. I'll be curious with a bit of a decant, but doesn't really want any more bottle aging.

Think of this wine every place you'd consider a pinot noir - its style is consistent with pinot noir. Think a sip before dinner, or with savory turkey dishes, fish, etc. Good value.

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Following a LONG decant (almost three hours) this mellowed a bit further, adding excellent balance to the equation, and moving up to three stars out of five, and making it best value.

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**** $ Cerejeiras Tinto (Red Wine), 2007, Vinho Regional Estremadura, Portugal - Review and Rating

Review: Cerejeiras is Portuguese dry red wine hailing from the Estremadura region. It comprises a blend of three mostly locally-known grapes: castelao, aragonez and tinta miuda. It comes in at a modest 12.5 percent alcohol, and we are tasting the Cerejeiras while it is still quite young.


In the glass, it is a medium bold red, suggesting red berries. Aromas are interesting indeed - mostly old-world and funky, rather than the sweet, plummy and clean that I expected. There is an old mustiness right up front in the nose - almost makes you reach for the anti-allergy tablets! It's wrapped in rich, old fruit though. The question is, how can a one year old wine act so mature?

Well, let's see by the palate if this is an infant or an octagenerian... On the palate, you notice a round, mature plummy fruitiness mingled with the must right in the middle of your upper palate. It glides smoothly along the tongue, reaching with the gentlest of tannins along the sides of your mouth into your cheeks. The finish is long, smooth and sweet. Cerejeiras is an easy-going infant masquerading as a senior citizen! Outstanding, intense, balanced, layered, enjoyable experience. Four stars on the Spirit of Wine scale. This is a crazy best value at its very modest price.

Because of the strong attitude of Cerejeiras in the glass, it may be easier to use as a sipping wine than with food. For food, pasta dishes may be among your best bets.

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