2019 Bodega Cuatro Pasos Mencia Pizarras de Otero Bierzo 750 ml

We first sipped Mencía from Bierzo about a decade ago, at places like Hotel Biron in SF and Tom Colicchio’s Craft in NYC. Back then, ahead-of-the-curve somms on the coasts were the only ones paying attention to this gorgeous, mineral-laden red—and it hooked us from the start.

Now, Mencia from Bierzo—which Wine Enthusiast has described as “arguably Spain’s most exciting wine region”—has leapt onto the pages of leading MICHELIN-starred wine lists around the world. And the 2019 Bodega Cuatro Pasos Mencía Pizarras de Otero Bierzo is one of the single greatest expressions we’ve tasted in years. 

Assembled from four high-elevation plots of 80-year-old vines by a benchmark Bierzo winery owned by the iconic Martin Códax co-op, this juicy, granite-edged red shows exactly why Mencía is one of the “Must-Try Wines of Our Time,” according to Wine Spectator. 

What sets this 92-point, 100% Mencia expression apart is a versatility and drinkability that’s off the charts. “It’s so food-friendly, you could put this on the Thanksgiving table and it would literally pair with every single dish,” one member of our wine team raved. 

Bounded by mountains, the main vineyards of Bierzo form a south-facing horseshoe shape. The higher elevations and cooler temperatures help give the Mencía grape—which can be as fickle as Pinot Noir—its light, sprightly acidity and intense, earthy, red-fruit palate. While Bierzo is famous for its well-draining slate soils, the layers of clay beneath are just as essential to this wine’s character, absorbing moisture and mitigating the need for irrigation.

It’s a region that still has tons of promise, and nothing signals the rise of Bierzo better than this overdelivering gem from Bodega Cuatro.