The terraces on the slopes and plots of the Avia Valley, inheritance of a millenary crop, are mostly planted on "sabrego", which is the local name used for the coarse sands of decomposed granite. This particularity, together with a microclimate marked by the combination of various exposures between west and east of eleven small plots spread over 16.3 hectares with different orientations, are the origin of Vina Mein.
A wine that expresses the exuberance of the Ribeiro landscape and its surroundings. The Viña Meín vineyard plots are a mosaic of pieces that make up an exceptional varietal richness, a unique wine and cultural heritage. Incredibly complex, this medium-bodied and energetic white offers fresh and delicate citrus, stone fruit and floral aromas. Lively, round and elegant on the palate with a crisp acidity that balances the fruits and structure.
"The grand vin 2019 O Gran Mein is a blend of different varieties and vineyards that represents the best they have in white, fermenting each variety by plot, which gives them a lot of lots to make a blend. The idea is to achieve something that is complex but delicate rather than intense. It achieved 13% alcohol while it kept a pH of 3.34 and 6.29 grams of acidity, blending wines that fermented in stainless steel, concrete, foudre and 600-liter barrel and matured in tank for 14 months. It has aromatic complexity and depth and is elegant and nuanced, with herbal, balsamic and spicy aromas and the inland, river character. The palate is really balanced, and the mouthfeel is terribly stony, with a drying finish. Here they are again looking for potential to create this blend; they talk about wines for 30 years, guided by the first vintages in the 1990s. 25,000 bottles, 3,000 magnums and some larger formats were produced. It was bottled in December 2020.. - Luis GUTIERREZ"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue 259, February 28th 2022), 93 pts
"Light, bright yellow. Mineral-accented tangerine, melon, pear and jasmine aromas; a hint of smoky minerality gains strength with air. Sharply delineated citrus fruit, pear skin and bitter quinine flavors are complemented by a deeper suggestion of honey. Shows impressive energy and minerally cut on the finish, which hangs on with strong, orchard-fruit-driven persistence. - Josh RAYNOLDS"
- Vinous (June 2021), 93 pts
"In 1988, Javier Alén was part of the first generation to explore Ribeira’s lost fame, replanting 40 acres of vines in the hills above the Avia River to local varieties. In 2013, he hired Dani Landi and Fernando García to take charge of the vineyards and winemaking. Best known for Comando G, their old-vine garnacha from the hills above Madrid, they brought their interest in organic farming and soon transformed Alén’s vineyards and winery to produce wines like this blend, focused on treixadura (70 percent), with godello, albariño, loureira, torrontés and lado. It’s rare to find a $26 white wine—from anywhere—with this kind of subtle energy and engaging complexity. The wine is immediately delicious, offering a pale tropical-fruit flavor, as creamy-rich as cherimoya, but completely white. That flavor feels misty and sunny, lasting on open-ended lusciousness. It’s either the texture or the flavor that will keep you wanting more. Get some."
- Wine & Spirits Magazine (August 2020), 94 pts
"The village white 2017 Viña Mein comes from different vineyards around the property, some ten of the 17 existing hectares. The vineyards are mostly east facing, the white on the bank of the Avia (the reds were traditionally planted on the opposite side). As with the other 2017s, there's less fruit and more soil, more precision and seriousness, picking the Treixadura early to get more finesse rather than volume and riper notes. It's mostly Treixadura with some 20% other white grapes—Godello, Loureiro, Albariño and Torrontés—fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and kept with lees for some six to eight months. It's 12% alcohol, with some white fruit and floral notes and good tension in the palate. This is very young and undeveloped and will surely be better with a little more time in bottle. - Luis GUTIERREZ"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue 241, February 28th 2019), 92 pts
Viña Mein is a family estate that was originated in the early 90's, when the Alén family acquired the Mein farm. Javier Alén manages the property with extremely care and ...
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