Ministry Of Clouds Mencia 2024 750ml

Vibrant McLaren Vale Mencía with sour cherry, pomegranate and mineral tannins.

About The Wine 

Ministry Of Clouds Mencía 2024 is a bright, floral and beautifully energetic McLaren Vale red made from estate grown Mencía. This Spanish variety feels right at home in McLaren Vale’s warm, Mediterranean climate, producing a wine with juicy fruit, savoury structure and a fresh mineral edge.

The 2024 release is light to medium bodied, expressive and wonderfully drinkable, with sour cherry, pomegranate, raspberry, blackcurrant, liquorice and crushed rock detail. It is a brilliant pick for those who enjoy reds with freshness, perfume and texture rather than heaviness.

Halliday Wine Companion - 95 Points

All estate fruit, the sixth release. Across two picks, this saw four wild ferments: one carbonic for 12 days, and the others a varied mix of whole bunch and whole berry. Those nuances have created considerable complexity across a deceptively bright and fragrant wine. Deceptive in that there is depth of flavour, concentration and an intriguingly slippery, silky, saline texture beyond the captivating perfume of crushed violets, iris, lavender and rose. There’s also an engaging fundamental grapey-ness paired with blueberry, sour cherry, blood plum, humus rich earth, charcoal, licorice powder and pipe tobacco. It’s light of feel, boisterously perfumed and rippling with detail. A delight, and up there with the best yet made here from the variety. Marcus Ellis

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sour cherry, pomegranate, raspberry, violets, liquorice, crushed rocks and subtle earthy spice.

Palate: Juicy and layered, with red and dark berry fruit, blackcurrant, lively acidity and mineral laced tannins.

Finish: Fresh and savoury, with lingering cherry, pomegranate, liquorice and fine rocky texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve just below room temperature or with a slight chill. Enjoy with slow roasted pork, mushroom dishes, lamb skewers, chargrilled vegetables, chorizo, tapas-style plates, tomato based pasta or hard cheeses.

About the Winery / Producer / Region

Ministry Of Clouds is a McLaren Vale producer known for modern, expressive wines that balance fruit purity, texture and regional character. Their Mencía comes from estate fruit and is now in its sixth release, showing how well Iberian varieties can suit McLaren Vale’s dry summers, winter rainfall and coastal influence. Halliday notes the 2024 wine is made from all estate fruit and includes a mix of wild ferments, including one carbonic ferment, adding perfume and brightness.

Mencía is best known in north west Spain, particularly Bierzo, Valdeorras and Ribeira Sacra, where it produces fragrant, mid weight reds with bright fruit, savoury detail and mineral structure. In McLaren Vale, it takes on a sunny Australian expression while keeping the variety’s floral lift and crunchy freshness.

Cellaring Potential

Enjoy now for its bright fruit, florals and crunchy mineral tannins, or cellar for around 3 to 5 years to allow more savoury, earthy and spice driven detail to develop.

Details

Producer: Ministry Of Clouds
Vintage: 2024
Variety: Mencía
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Bottle Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Vegan / Organic / Biodynamic / Sustainable: Vegan friendly and sustainably farmed.