Méntrida wine region

Méntrida is situated in Castilla-La Mancha, in the center of Spain and southeast of Madrid around Toledo. We are in the continental part of the country on the central plateau, home to the stories of Don Quixote. Here, summers are hot and winters are cold and there is not much rainfall in this part of Spain. Méntrida is a small wine region in the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos and is not that widely known however Garnacha from the Gredos region is getting a lot of attention from wine lovers and experts recently. Garnacha Tinta is the main grape, producing powerful red wines that can age.

Tasted – La Suerte de Arrayán – Bodegas Arrayán

Bodegas Arrayán started to plant vines in 1999 in an area north of Toledo. The Suerte de Arrayán is a 100% Garnacha Tinta, but they also make wine from other grapes such as Albillo Real. The vineyard is at 700 meters altitude with old vines on sandy soils. Grapes are manually selected and the wine is aged for 12 months in French oak, with an additional aging of 12 months in bottle.

My wine experience

The wine shows a light, garnet color with some aging signs. On the palate there is ripe red fruit with cherry, herbs and a stoney minerality. The wine is medium+ bodied with some pepper, ripe tannins, good acidity and a medium+ finish. The alcohol is high but integrated.

This is a good Garnacha wine and a style I am starting to appreciate more and more. The combination of power with elegance makes this an approachable yet complex wine. Perfect to match with a winter red meat dish or poultry.

Conclusion

A good wine for a good price

Wine info

2018 | Alcohol 14,5% | DO Méntrida | Bodegas Arrayán | Price range EUR 10-15

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