Bodegas y Viñedos Merayo Mencía 2024

Merayo Mencía is an inviting young red made from the lovely Mencia grape with intense aromas of cherries, blueberries and violet hints. It has a smooth, cherry fruit and spice on the palate together with rounded tannins.  This is a light to medium-bodied red with full flavours and excellent length. There is a pleasant nuance of sweetness in the tannins which makes this vintage extremely approachable and attractive.

** Decanter Weekday Wine recommended June 2026 : 90 Points: see Review below**

The Mencia grape has been described as the Pinot Noir of Spain, and it has similar characteristics of fresh, refined fruit, smoothness and light structure. This is something different and very distinctive in character from the widely planted Tempranillo grape found in many Spanish wines. This is a wine to discover!

If you enjoy this wine, you will certainly enjoy the lightly oaked big-brother, Merayo Tres Filas; you can find the link at the foot of this page.

Review

“Bush vines up to 80 years old contribute to this joyful mouthful of a wine, adding depth to the midweight red and blue berry fruit. Soft tannins and cool acidity add to its friendly nature, with earthy, floral notes lingering through the finish.  90 Points: ”  Decanter Weekday Wines Top Picks June 2026.

About the producer

It comes from a small, family-producer in the hills of DO Bierzo in North West Spain, which is the home of the Mencia grape. The vineyards are near Villafranca, close to the Camino de Santiago de Compostella (The Pilgrims Way) and during our visit to Pedro Merayo’s scenic vineyards, we could see walkers making their way along the Camino! Merayo Mencia really is a wine worth discovering and it is amazing value for such a flavoursome, smooth, medium-bodied red.

The all important vineyards

The Merayo family have been growing grapes for generation in Bierzo. Pedro Merayo has 25 hectares of well established and immaculate vineyards, which includes 80 – 100 year old bush vine Mencia. This young red has been aged “sur lie” for six months before bottling. It is made from grapes from 80 year old bush vines as well as grapes from younger vines, giving an overall average age of around 30 years. Older vines produce a lower yield of grapes with great concentration, which makes for more complex wines.

Such is the care and attention to his vineyards, Pedro Merayo has observed other vignerons taking photos of his vineyards to pass them off as theirs! Attention to detail in the vineyards, hand-picked grapes and careful winemaking by Pedro’s son, Juan Merayo is producing excellent results. This wine gained 91 points in Guia Penin, an independent Spanish Wine Guide.

Food match: Will partner chicken and pork dishes brilliantly. Perfect with Tapas.

Sells in various Independent Wine Merchants £13.90 – £15.50: check out our competitive price.