2021 Envinate Lousas Parcela Camino Novo 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....
They think of 2021 as a "classical" vintage in Ribeira Sacra, and the 2021 Lousas Parcela Camiño Novo, a field blend of 85% Mencía, 12% Alicante Bouschet and the rest a mixture of Brancellao, Merenzao, Grao Negro, etc., shows that classical profile, with good ripeness, 13.21% alcohol, a juicy mouthfeel and nice balance. The soils are gneiss and schist with more clay than other vineyards and therefore the source for rounder wines. It fermented with 100% full clusters and matured in neutral 228- and 500-liter barrels. This is super elegant and nuanced, the most elegant and complete wine today, with energy and light, rose petals and herbs, powerful and elegant in a rare combination, going back to the finest expression of this vineyard. It's expressive, open and complex, head and shoulders above the others today. 1,550 bottles were filled in November 2022. They had hail in 2022, so this wine was not produced that year. Drink 2023 - 2031.
98 points
Luis Gutiérrez - Wine Advocate (Nov 17, 2023)

A little “darker” on the nose with dark bramble fruit, ripe stems, sous bois berries, wet leaves, mussels and freshly picked porcini mushrooms. Tangy, bright acidity gives a fresh lift to the peppery fruit. Wild, reductive and delightfully long. So delicious and almost paradoxically deep for a wine with such perfume and inner wildness. Drink or hold.
97 points
JamesSuckling.com