2021 Envinate Lousas Doad Mencia

Lousas is the name Envintate has given to their wines from Ribeira Sacra, translating to slate and a nod to the rock that marks these wines. Each of their Lousas releases are predominately Mencia, along with a smaller component of various indigenous varieties such as Merenzao, Caino, Garnacha Tintorerra, and Palomino among many others. Vina de Aldea is a blend of several plots from the Amandi, Quiroga, and Ribeiras do Sil subregions of Ribeira Sacra. Doad meanwhile hails from different terroirs throughout the Galician town of Doade, is Mencia dominant with the remaining 15% a field blend of various varieties. Rosende is sourced from a single vineyard from a village of the same name, and the soils here are similar to the Northern Rhone with granite crystals flecked through the sand. Finally Camino Novo is a single vineyard perched on the edge of the River Sil, where the vines are 80 years old and always produce some of the most profound Mencia in the area.

Other Reviews....
One of two new village reds in 2021 is the 2021 Doad Lousas, sourced from different terroirs in the village of Doade, Soutochao, Capeliños, Escalada, Meixeman, etc., on different soils. It vinified in open bins with 100% foot trodden full clusters and indigenous yeasts and matured in neutral barrels of different ages. It has a more austere personality; it feels a little more closed with some earthy tannins within the juicier and more fruit-driven style from the Doade village in the Sil Valley. 3,300 bottles were produced. Like all the 2021s, it was bottled at the end of November 2022. Drink 2023 - 2030.
95 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Wine Advocate (Nov 17, 2023)

Fine, chalky nose with fresh brambly fruit, pomegranate, tile and white pepper. Lots of wild fruit on the palate with fine, fresh tannins and a long finish full of wild herbs and some cooked grapefruit. So drinkable now, why hold?
95 points
JamesSuckling.com