Avanthia Rosé 2011

Avanthia Rosé 2011

Grape variety: Mencía

Geographical origin: D.O. Valdeorras

Producer: Bodegas Avanthia

Avanthia Rosé 2011 is a highly unusual wine. Spanish rosados are normally meant to be consumed young. In fact, only a few rare, old-fashioned examples such as Viña Tondonia are barrel-aged and made to last. Avanthia, however, is a barrel-aged Rosado in a modern style.

By this, I mean that it maintains a moreish freshness. Layers of delicious fruit are balanced with extra complexity from those barrels.

A Mencía from Valdeorras in Galicia, Avanthia offers us fresh strawberries on the nose and a hint of freshly baked sponge-cakes. The palate, meanwhile, follows through on those initial sensations with a well-integrated, crisp yet never intrusive acidity, backed up by a mineral core. All this is overlaid by a hint of creaminess and spice on the aftertaste.

This Rosado is made by Jorge Ordoñez with mainly the U.S. market in mind. I’d hazard a guess it would also be pretty popular with other nationalities – Avanthia is one of the best Spanish Rosados I’ve ever tasted.