Doña Mencía de los Andes 2021 by Ver Sacrum is a juicy and expressive red wine that showcases the rare Mencía grape in a completely new terroir: the foothills of the Andes, in the Los Chacayes region of Uco Valley, Argentina. The 2021 vintage was awarded 93 points by both Tim Atkin MW and Peter Moser of Falstaff, with Moser describing it as one of the most elegant examples of Mencía outside Spain.
Ver Sacrum was founded in 2012 by Eduardo Soler, a visionary winemaker with a passion for innovation. His goal was to cultivate Mediterranean grape varieties — including Grenache, Monastrell, Carignan, Roussanne, Marsanne, and the rare Mencía — in the unique terroirs of Argentina. A former mountaineer and member of rescue teams in Aspen and Mendoza, Soler was inspired by the ancient Roman ritual Ver Sacrum (“Sacred Spring”), in which young people left their homelands to establish new communities, bringing vines and hope with them. This philosophy of renewal and exploration runs through every bottle produced by the winery.
The vineyards for Doña Mencía de los Andes 2021 sit at 1,160 metres above sea level, on limestone-rich soils scattered with river stones. Grapes are harvested by hand, and fermentation takes place with ambient yeasts, in open 400-litre tanks, using 50% whole bunches. This approach gives the wine its juicy character, finesse, and elegant tannins. It is then aged for 18 months in used French oak barrels, adding an extra layer of complexity.
This is a cracking red wine, bottled in strictly limited quantities — and one you’ll absolutely love, if you’re quick enough to grab a bottle.
