Tasting Notes: The 2009 Avante is 100% Mencia sourced from multiple vineyards with an average age of 43 years. The wine was aged in both stainless steel (30%) and French oak (70%) for 5 months. It offers up notes of earthy minerals, a hint of balsamic, black cherries, and violets leading to a nicely proportioned, sweetly fruited, savory red with excellent volume and length. It is an outstanding value for drinking over the next 4-5 years.