2023 Varney Wines Mencia

Highly Rated
McLaren Mencia, not so much a Formula 1 car, more a graceful alternative variety red with lots of brightness and life.

Price:
Sale price$36.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
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Description

95 points & Top 100 Wines of 2023
"Bright colour; a haunting herbal/dark cupboard bouquet... and that Varney touch of freshness on the finish."
- James Halliday (The Weekend Australian)

Not as much Mencia among the vineyards of McLaren Vale, as, say Touriga - that seems to the grape 'de jour'. But more wines like this elegant, lacy beauty from Alan Varney and lots of this native Spanish grape might find its way in to the ground.

From a small plot in Seaview, this is a bright, lifted, medium-bodied red with some exotic spice and game meat aromatics.

Nine days on skins, short time in Burgundy barrels then bottled. Just 88 dozen bottles made. Not sure how much drinking that works out to per day...

95 points & Top 100 Wines of 2023 - "A variety on the rise in Spain and Portugal. Bright colour; a haunting herbal/dark cupboard bouquet is swiftly dealt with by the medium- to full-bodied palate anchored by dusty tannins, and that Varney touch of freshness on the finish." - James Halliday (The Weekend Australian)

Varney Wines Mencia started as an experimental foray into the variety in 2020 and was released as a wine in our Expressions of Interest range. Now after working with the variety for a few years we have decided it deserves a permanent place in our Essentials Range. This variety has a great future in the Vale with many great examples available from some top producers. Our Mencia is made to be very approachable in its youth with restrained tannin and balanced red fruit characters. It is a medium bodied red wine to be enjoyed upon release and will continue to develop over the next three to five years.

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Mencia
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Feature High Score
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 95
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
Closure Screw Cap

Varney Wines

Varney Wines began with just a "tonne for fun" for Alan Varney to play around with over a decade ago.

He took his years of experience working at top South Australian wineries, including time spent at Orlando Wines, Longview Vineyard and over a decade as senior winemaker at d’Arenberg, and poured his skills into crafting a style of wine that he and his friends and family could enjoy.

The side gig became a full-time obsession, leading to Alan purchasing a dilapidated property at the Gateway of McLaren Vale to house a tasting room alongside his wife Kathrin’s restaurant, Victor’s Place. A sustainable modern winery was built and their first commercial release was unveiled. The wines have been taking off ever since culminating with Varney being named James Halliday's Best New Winery in 2021.

Winemaker Alan Varney - McLaren Vale, SA Varney Wines

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For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.

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Estimated delivery transit time varies depending on your location. Please review this page for specific estimates.

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