Bierzo DO, Spain
100% Mencía
13% ABV
Unoaked • Young Red

Tasting Notes

The 2025 Luna Beberide Mencía is a bright, juicy and wonderfully fresh expression of one of Spain's most interesting indigenous red grapes.

The nose is filled with fresh raspberry, wild strawberry, red cherry and pomegranate, alongside subtle notes of violet, wild herbs, slate and mineral earth.

On the palate, it is medium-bodied, energetic and beautifully vibrant, with crunchy red and dark fruit, lively acidity and very fine tannins. There is a lovely stony/mineral quality underneath the fruit, giving the wine more complexity than you might expect from a young, unoaked red.

Tim Atkin MW gave the 2025 93 points, describing it as crunchy, juicy and tangy, with pomegranate, plum and goji berry flavors, stony intensity and wonderful energy. He recommends drinking it from 2026–2031.

⭐ Critic Score

93 Points – Tim Atkin MW

This is a particularly nice score to feature because it is specifically for the 2025 vintage, not a previous release.

There is also a 91-point Decanter score listed for the 2025 vintage by Bodeboca.

🍇 Interesting Facts

Mencía is Bierzo's signature red grape

Mencía is indigenous to northwestern Spain and is particularly associated with Bierzo, where it produces wines that can be remarkably elegant and mineral-driven.

It is sometimes compared stylistically to cool-climate Pinot Noir or Cabernet Franc because of its combination of red fruit, floral notes, herbs, freshness and relatively moderate alcohol.

And Bierzo itself has increasingly been described as Spain's Burgundy because of its small vineyard parcels, mountain locations and focus on individual terroir. Tim Atkin specifically makes that comparison in his 2025 review.

High-elevation vineyards

The Luna Beberide Mencía comes from vineyards on south-facing slopes at roughly 600–750 meters elevation. The altitude helps preserve the wine's acidity and freshness while allowing the fruit to ripen fully.

Clay-limestone soils

The vineyards are planted on calcareous-clay soils, which contribute to the wine's mineral character and structure.

No oak

This is an important selling point.

The 2025 is a young, unoaked Mencía, fermented and aged in stainless-steel tanks rather than barrels. That allows the grape's natural fresh red-fruit, floral and mineral personality to shine without oak covering it up.

Sustainably farmed

Luna Beberide farms sustainably and without herbicides or pesticides, according to The Wine Society.

A great warm-weather red

This is one of those reds that doesn't need to be served at room temperature.

I'd actually recommend serving it slightly chilled—around 55–58°F. That makes the fruit and acidity pop and makes it an excellent choice for warm-weather drinking.

The Wine Society specifically recommends serving it lightly chilled with pimientos de Padrón and sea salt.

🍽️ Food Pairings

This is an incredibly versatile restaurant-style red.

I'd pair it with:

• 🌶️ Pimientos de Padrón
• 🍕 Charcuterie or Spanish pizza
• 🥓 Jamón Ibérico
• 🍗 Roast chicken
• 🐖 Grilled pork
• 🍖 Lamb
• 🍄 Grilled mushrooms
• 🍝 Tomato-based pasta
• 🧀 Manchego
• 🌮 Tacos
• 🍔 Burgers
• 🥘 Spanish tapas

It would also be fantastic with grilled octopus, especially because of the wine's freshness and mineral character.

Why We Love It

This is a killer value wine.

The combination of:

93 Tim Atkin MW + 91 Decanter + 100% Mencía + Bierzo + high elevation + no oak

makes it an extremely easy wine to recommend.

"If you love Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc or lighter Northern Rhône reds, try Mencía."

It's juicy enough to be immediately enjoyable, but it has enough minerality, acidity and savory complexity to keep a serious wine drinker interested.

It's also perfect for someone who wants a red wine that isn't heavy or overly alcoholic.

Serving Temperature: 55–58°F
Decant: Not necessary
Drink Window: 2026–2031
Style: Fresh • Juicy • Mineral • Floral • Light-to-Medium Bodied • Food-Friendly