Nepenthe Pinnacle Mencia 2022

 

The Adelaide Hills is a Mencia hot spot at the moment. There are a vast array of interpretations of the variety which builds the curiosity factor. This release from Nepenthe is a spicy and dense rendition.

Oliver's Taranga Mencia 2022

 

I love these Oliver's Taranga labels. Their colour is so distinctive but they also give a snapshot of the year that was. Check the bottom right, there is always a reference to "The year that..."

Mencia has been on the books for a number of years now with the first release in 2016. A Spanish variety, this is gold plated with silky lines calling for lazy, long afternoons with plentiful plates of food within arm's reach.

Oliver's Taranga Chica Mencia Rosé 2022

 

Picked on Valentine's Day. Maybe that's why the colour is deeper than usual? Mencia Rosé from McLaren with a little more body than previous too.

Oliver's Taranga Chica Mencia Rosé 2021

 

Made by all the ladies at Oliver's Taranga, hence the name 'Chica'. This is a great excuse to enjoy a long lunch in the sunshine.

Varney Wines Expressions Of Interest Mencia 2020

 

It is never lost on me how privileged I am to look at so many wines from a broad and diverse range of producers. Then wines like this turn up - only 66 bottles produced. I held it aloft in two hands revering it just as it deserves. A superb Mencia.

Oliver's Taranga Mencia 2019

Oliver's Taranga produce Mencia two ways - a Rosé and this table wine. This is wonderfully expressive and screams pleasure factor - Corrina Wright's best Mencia release to date.

d'Arenberg The Anthropocene Epoch Mencia 2019

d'Arenberg's marketing gun Jack Scupham might need to start sending through some arthritis cream with these samples which possess such incredibly long names. Gee, that took some typing. All that aside, this is another fab Mencia release from Chester Osborn and his team.

Hidden Creek Mencia 2020

The lighter of the three Mencia samples recently tasted, this release from Hidden Creek leans more towards the savoury spectrum and sits just under medium-bodied. This is a wine sure to win a new legion of fans.

Oliver's Taranga Chica Mencia Rosé 2020

Such a visually appealing wine in the glass. A glistening rose gold and pale salmon greets the eye.

Oliver's Taranga Chica Mencia Rosé 2019

It was tools down in the office and all hands on deck when the ladies at Oliver's Taranga all went into the winery to produce this fifth release Mencia Rosé named after them - the Chicas!

Oliver's Taranga Chica Mencia Rosé 2018

Girls just wanna have fun - and make Rosé. Winemaker Corrina Wright has pulled all the Oliver's Taranga ladies out from behind their desks and the tasting bench and into the winery to make this wine made by the "Chicas". Picnic wine done good.

Oliver's Taranga Mencia 2018

There's little of the Spanish variety Mencia around in Oz and this is a beauty. It certainly has some Barry White factor, that is, I can't get enough! Pour large and don't share are my tips for success.

d'Arenberg The Anthropocene Epoch Mencia 2017

Another intriguing name from the creative juices of Chester Osborne. The Anthropocene Epoch is all about humanity's impact on the planet. Not surprisingly, this is made from biodynamic and organic fruit.

Oliver's Taranga Chica Mencia Rosé 2017

Here's the Chica Mencia version three and each vintage thus far has certainly had its own personality. A delicious drink.

Quartz Hill Mencia Rosé 2016

A couple of months ago I had only tasted one Mencia in the form of Oliver's Taranga Chica Rosé. In that time another four have come through the door including this Rosé from Quartz Hill. This is great drinking too I might add. I'm becoming a big fan of the Spanish variety...

Oliver's Taranga Mencia 2016

This my friends is a great intro to the Spanish variety Mencia. If you haven't heard of it nor tasted it, best you get on the pleasure train.

d'Arenberg The Anthropocene Epoch Mencia 2016

And just when you think Chester has enough on his plate with The Cube soon to be opened, he releases his first Mencia - made from organic and biodynamic grapes too. And the name - another classic. Best you Google it.

Oliver's Taranga Chica Mencia Rosé 2016

There's more summer loving here than John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John could ever sing about.

Red flowers, watermelon, red currants and dried strawberries. Inviting aromas but it's the acidity that has me hooked - crunchy and clean. A dry wine with persistent fruit drive, there's plenty of sunshine and happiness in the glass.

Drink now with friends and a barbeque within reach.

91/100

Region: McLaren Vale
RRP: $25
Source: Sample

www.oliverstaranga.com

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Oliver's Taranga Chica Mencia Rosé 2015

Boom Chica wah wah!

Gee I enjoyed drinking this. It's just so appealing and so sessional. There's a great fruit presence wrapped up by savoury notes.

Sure the colour can suggest that this is sweet but not so much. As Oliver's Taranga winemaker Corrina Wright says, "This is a fun, dry Rosé." Yep, sure is.

To be precise, this was made by the cellar door ladies - the chicas! I can't help but think Cindi Lauper's lyrics were ringing out loud in the winery as the ladies just wanted to have some fun.

Red currant and red berries hit the spot with a dusting of black pepper to finish. Refreshingly delish. A bit of fun and a great drink, isn't that what we look for in a wine?

One for the trolley, yes please.

Very good.

Region: McLaren Vale
RRP: $24
Source: Sample

www.oliverstaranga.com

Follow me @Qwine