Toni Gelabert Wine Tasting

On December 11, 2015 By mallorcawinetastingIn Vins Toni Gelabert2 Comments

Wines Tasted

◊ White ◊

Son Fangos Blanc 2014
Chardonnay 2014

◊ Rosé ◊

Son Fangos Rosat 2014

◊ Red ◊

Son Fangos Negre
Negre de Sa Colònia 2013
Ses Hereves 2007

Vins Toni Gelabert pays attention to detail. The winery building was designed and built down to every detail according to Feng Shui. They farm and harvest according to not only Organic, but also Biodynamic techniques. Biodynamic farming follows the cycles of the moon and has specific hours and days for planting, trimming, harvesting… etc. It is a lot of extra work, but the results can be recognized in the taste of their wines! Their dedication and values set them apart from the other wineries in actions, and in flavor as well. Overall excellence.

Tasting note:
We shared this tasting with a group of German women on holiday here. It cost €20, and included not only expensive bottles from Toni Vins, but also homemade Sobrasada and Mahonese cheese. We tasted in a room that felt like we had been invited into Toni’s house and kitchen, like visiting old friends around the kitchen table and talking about our favorite topic – good wine!

#1
Son Fangos Blanc 2014
Grapes: Prensal (12%), Moscatel

Comment:

Tawnee: The smell is fabulous! The wine is a pale yellow with a lovely feeling in the mouth and had a nice finish. It is well balanced and yummy. It left me wanting to drink more. A great wine to drink with a good book.

Merie: This white wine is 12% alcohol by volume. A blend of Prensal Blanc and Muscatel. It has a lovely aroma of Muscatel with citrus, light and fresh. When freshly opened, it starts nicely, and finishes slightly tart; then but as it opened the flavors fused, and the chilled, balanced flavors were delicious.

#2
Chardonnay 2014
Grapes: Chardonnay 100%

Comment:

Tawnee: This is my favorite Chardonnay! We have a winner in the Mallorca Wine Trail! It is a beautiful golden color and has a nose to match full of golden apples and ripe bananas. It has 5 months in French oak barrel where they batonage it. Batonage is moving of the sediments with a stick. Toni even brought out the stick to show us! This bottle can last for up to 10 years in the bottle. Highly recommended.

Merie: This wine is 14.5% alcohol by volume. It is has 4-5 months fermentation in oak, and I love an oaky Chardonnay! It seems to be a thing of the past, as newer oenologists prefer the brighter flavors of Chardonnays that go direct from stainless tanks to bottle. But not me!

#3
Son Fangos Rosat
Grapes: Callet 50%
Syrah 25%
Merlot 25%

Comment:

Tawnee: This is a rosé made with all red grapes. The nose is of watermelon. He puts the grapes in full and lets it ferment for a few hours, and then removes the skins etc, before letting it ferment for around a month in stainless steel. The flavor is very subtle, light and enjoyable. This was the German ladies favorite!

Merie: This rosé has a fresh, tart aroma that is mouth watering! It goes straight from stainless tank to bottle, never to oak, and is nicely dry.

#4
Son Fangos Negre
Grapes: Callet 50%
Merlot 25%
Cabernet 25%

Comment:

Tawnee: A good red wine. A deep ruby red with a nose of wet earth. I enjoyed the full flavor and body that it had. It is their best seller, and I can see why. It would be great with pork chops.

Merie: This wine is made from 50% Callet grapes, with the other 50% being a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz. It has a very unique aroma of light leather, and fresh fruit with no sweetness. The flavor is classic and balanced with a nice tannin structure.

#5
Negre de Sa Colònia 1013
Grapes: Callet 100%

Comment:

Tawnee: I like this wine! I think it has originality and when you know that Toni has chosen these Callet grapes especially because they are from Sa Colònia to make the 100% Callet wine it makes it even better. He says that the Callet grape can only be grown in that area of Mallorca… and he has proof behind his comment. He also has Callet growing around his bodega and says that it isn’t as good… so he mixes it in his blends. Love the honesty and the experimental truth!

Merie: This red is made from 100% Callet grapes from their vineyard in Colònia San Pedro (Colònia Sant Pere in Mallorquin). It is aged 12 months in French oak barrels. Interestingly, the tannins in this wine were green and we were reminded that ripe seeds produce ripe tannins, and green grapes produce green tannins – so I am guessing these grapes were pressed youngish.

#6
Ses Hereves 2007
Grapes: Cabernet 33%
Merlot 33%
Syrah 33%

Comment:

Tawnee: This is a classic wine. The nose is of pepper and musk. It has full flavor and body. You can taste the essence of the Mediterranean in it. It is one of Señor Toni’s favorite wines he makes. Perfect to drink with a freshly grilled steak and vegetables.

Merie: This rich red wine is a Reserva, spending 12 months in new French Oak barrels. Vins Toni Gelabert is known for this bottle. The blend is equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah and has a wonderful and distinct aroma of rich ripe northern grapes.

Thank you Toni!

Please See Our Vins Toni Gelabert Visit: Click Here

### Vins Toni Gelabert ###

Miquel Oliver Wines Tasting

On December 4, 2015December 8, 2015 By mallorcawinetastingIn Miquel OliverLeave a comment

Wines Tasted:

◊ 2 Whites ◊

Son Caló Blanc 2014
Muscat 2014

◊ 2 Rosé ◊

Alegria 2014
Son Caló Rosat 2014

◊ 3 Reds ◊

Mont Ferrutx Crianza 2010
Ses Ferritges’11 2011
Syrah 2012

Miquel Oliver winery blends the past and the present. The bodega owner and wine maker are the same person, Pilar who is a descendant of the founder. She is dedicated to preserving the local wine flavors while incorporating new methods of perfecting taste. All bottles have a special meaning for either the bodega or for the land on which the grapes are grown. We love the connection that it creates when you drink their wine.

#1
Son Caló Blanc 2014
Grapes: Prensal 100%

Comment:

Tawnee: A very original wine. It has a straw color and is 23 days in fermentation – no oak. A little sour or like bright lemons. Son Caló is a cove on the Bay of Alcudia. It is just past Colonia San Pere. The grapes come from a farm there. Son Caló Blanc is a great, fresh white for on the boat…in Son Caló.

Merie: Son Caló Blanc 2014 is a lovely dry white is made from Prensal Blanc grapes and is 12.5% alcohol by volume. With great bright aroma, it is tart with citrus notes, brute like a Cava, and crisp.

#2
Muscat 2014
Grape: Muscatel 100%

Comment:

Tawnee: This is probably one of the best wines I have smelled – ever – berry heaven! It is beautiful. It has a good beginning and a dry end. A good different wine, however, I wished it tasted more like it smelled. Lots of character – Miquel Oliver is the first on this island to make a dry muscatel. I love it – A perfect beach wine!

Merie: The Muscat 2014 is a golden white wine, with rich aroma and 13% alcohol by volume. No oak barrel aging. They purposefully use mature, ripe sweet grapes which they ferment until the wine is dry. By the way, we learned that “collita 2014″ on the bottle means vintage 2014.

#3
Son Caló Rosat 2014
Grapes: Callet
Fogoneu

Comment:

Tawnee: A very bright colored rosé. It has strawberry aromas and a fruity flavor. I thought I even tasted banana in it. Both grapes are native to the island and grown in Colonia de San Pere. It is dry and has a solid finish.

Merie: Son Caló Rosat 2014 is a rosé with 13% alcohol by volume, made from local Callet and Fogoneu grapes. This wine has a wonderfully smooth aroma. It is tart and dry, a very refreshing wine with good character.

#4
Alegria 2014
Grapes: Merlot

Comment:

Tawnee: Alegria means happiness in English. And this wine is happy! I detected ripe fruits in the nose. I just love the mono varietals – the difference between a 100% rosé here and the 100% merlot white at Son Prim or their 100% red are very different. It helps to discover the essence of the grape. Perfect for a sip beside the pool at sunset.

Merie: The Alegria 2014 rosé has more alcohol than the previous, 13.5% alcohol by volume, and is made from 100% Merlot grapes. With an aroma of pepper, it is smoother than the Son Caló, dry/brute but not tart. It is eight hours in maceration with its skin and seeds, compared to their red wines, which macerate many days.

#5
Mont Ferrutx 2010
Grapes: Callet
Manto Negro
Fogoneu

Comment:

Tawnee: Mont Ferrutx signifies the mountain of Ferrutx. This is a mountain out near Colonia San Pere and has a beautiful hike to the top where you can look out onto the Bay of Alcudia. Why not bring a bottle with you and enjoy it from the top. It is not overbearing and has a spicy flavor. A Mallorquin mix of grapes – a great wine.

Merie: The Mont Ferrutx Crianza 2010 has 13.5% alcohol by volume and is made from local varietals Callet, Fogoneu, and Manto Negro; this is the only wine Miguel Oliver makes with Manto Negro. It spends one year in oak yet is light and tart.

#6
Ses Ferritges 2011
Grapes: Callet
Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah

Comment:

Tawnee: The name comes from the word iron – and it is because where these grapes are grown there is a lot of Iron. Another interesting thing about this wine is that it is made in 50% new American oak and 50% used (up to 4 years) French oak. One of my more favorite bottles they make. A bold wine, perfect for a sizzling steak right off the grill.

Merie: Ses Ferritges 2011 is made from Callet, Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. This red has 14.5% alcohol by volume and ages four years in American and French oak: Half the time in new oak, half older oak. It is darker than the Mont Ferrutx, richer, and with aromas of dark berries.

#7
Syrah 2012
Grapes: Syrah 100%

Comment:

Tawnee: This wine they had wanted to call Som- or suenos, which mean dreams, but the name was sadly already taken. This is why there is a moon on the front. In my opinion this is the best wine that I tasted at this bodega! There was no acidic finish. Yum! Yum! It is made with French, American, Russian and Hungarian oak. A great pairing for an oven baked dish or just by itself after a long work day.

Merie: The Syrah 2012 is made from 100% Syrah grapes and is 13.5% alcohol. Ana told us it is aged in French, American, Russian, and Hungarian oak barrels. The aroma is spicy, yet round, with dark fruit notes. The flavor is rich and consistent with aroma, which I always like!

Thank you Ana!

Please See Miquel Oliver Visit: Click Here

### Miquel Oliver ###

Cellar Jaume de Puntiró Wine Tasting

On November 20, 2015November 21, 2015 By mallorcawinetastingIn Jaume PuntiroLeave a comment

Wines Tasted

◊ 2 Whites ◊

Blanc 2014
Moscatell Dolc 2012

◊ 3 Reds ◊

Carmesi 2013
Buc 2011
Porprat 2012

Jaume de Puntirò is the oldest certified organic wine maker in Mallorca. Their wines are bursting with character and values. They have 2 different lines of wine: their normal selection and a Crianza line with artistic labels, plus a special red and sweet white. Most of the wines are named after colors in the Mallorcan language, and they each have their own symbol that represents that wine and is known as the Alphabet Puntirò; a beautiful blend of creativity and wine.

#1

Blanc 2014
Grapes: Prensal Blanc 100%

Comment:

Tawnee: A very vibrant wine! It is a pale color of yellow. There are notes of fruit, and it has a delicate finish. A young white wine made from white grapes – named appropriately – Blanc is white in Mallorcan. Perfect for a fruit salad or a salad with nuts.

Merie: Blanc 2014 is a blanc de blanc (white wine made from white grapes) made from 100% Prensal Blanc. This tasty wine has a beautiful, sweet aroma, with bold flavors consistent of a young wine. It is refreshing, dry and tart like a green apple, very even and fresh.

#2

Moscatell Dolç 2012
Grapes: Muscatel 100%

Comment:

Tawnee: A delicious sweet wine – I bought a bottle immediately! There are floral aromas. It is very balanced and has a wonderful honey finish. An excellent end to a summer meal!

Merie: The Muscatel Dolç 2012 is a lightly sweet wine aged in oak. The aroma is not sweet, but full and interesting! The taste is lovely! There is some sweetness but it is not sugary. It is a very light, refreshing wine and perhaps my favorite here.

#3

Carmesi 2013
Grapes: Manto Negro
Callet
Cabernet Sauvignon

Comment:

Tawnee: A good blend of traditional Mallorcan grapes and a solid Cabernet. Crimson in color, just like the name states. The Mallorcan earth tones are definitely notable. This is a good organic table red to have around the house.

Merie: Next Pere poured us the Carmesi. Like the name, it is crimson red in color. The flavor is oaky, as well as lightly tart. I was told that winemakers like a bit of acid in the right proportion, as it promotes salivation = mouth-watering! This wine is a blend of Manto Negro, Callet and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals, and aged 12 months in American oak barrels.

#4

Buc 2013
Grapes: Manto Negro
Cabernet Sauvignon

Comment:

Tawnee: A spicy wine! This comes from the Crianza artistic line. I personally did not enjoy the nose on this wine very much, but the flavor was dynamic and enjoyable! It was earthy and spicy. Good with a rack of lamb or grilled goat.

Merie: The Buc 2011 is made from a blend of Manto Negro and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from older vines. The name Buc comes from the region the grapes are grown: Es Plà de Buc. It is a 12 month Crianza, aged in American oak barrels. Pere described it as “fuerte y duro.” Strong and intense, it has aromas of pepper and cinnamon. This wine has personality!

#5

Porprat 2012
Grapes: Manto Negro
Prensal Blanc
Giro Ros
Callet

Comment:

Tawnee: A bold wine! The nose is full of spice and earth. Drinking it is very easy as it is well balanced. It would be great with braised beef or a shoulder of lamb. It is from the Artistic line of Crianza wines.

Merie: The last wine we tried was the Porprat 2012. Porprat means purple in Mallorquin, and is named for the deep color of this blend of Manto Negro, Prensal Blanc, Giro Ros, and Callet Grapes. Note there is a white grape in this red wine! That might be a first for us! This is a rich, hearty red with strong aromas and flavors, and a good tannin structure.

Thank you Pere!

Please see Jaume de Puntiró Visit: Click Here

### Jaume de Puntiró ###

Vins Ca’n Novell Tasting

On November 5, 2015November 6, 2015 By mallorcawinetastingIn Vins Can NovellLeave a comment

Wines Tasted:

◊ 2 Whites ◊

Xardone 2014
Es Vermadors

◊ 1 Rosé ◊

Es Vermadors

◊ 1 Red ◊

É Roure

Vins Ca’n Novell is Mallorca Profunda – authentic Mallorca! They have stuck to tradition and kept prices down. Their wines are excellent for their prices. You can fill up the bottles from your house, or come and buy a bottle from them. Both options are economical and delightful to drink. In keeping with their love of tradition, the majority of their wines are made with local grapes. How lovely to see enthusiasm for tradition. Vins Ca’n Novell and Andreu are bubbling with enjoyment for Mallorca and Mallorcan wine.

#1
Xardoné
Grapes: Chardonnay

Comments:
Tawnee: This Chardonnay is one of the better ones on the island! It didn’t have the unpleasant finish that I do not like in a Chardonnay. Perhaps my search has found a winner! Additionally, it is unbeatable at Ca’n Novell prices! Happy taste buds and happy wallet = happy Tawnee. Enjoyable anywhere, it is fresh and pleasant for a hot summer day.

Merie: The first splash from the Xardoné (Mallorcan for Chardonnay of course) was tasty! Using 100% Chardonnay grapes it is a “vino jovenes” a young wine, so no Oak and going straight form stainless to bottle; fresh and appetizing with just the right amount of tartness to make the mouth water on a hot day.

#2
Es Vermadors Blanc
Grapes: Prensal Blanc

Comments:
Tawnee: I am beginning to appreciate this grape. It is fresh and delightful in the mouth. A delicious addition to summer salad, or paired with zesty chicken.

Merie: Es Vermadors’ Prensal Blanc grapes are also known as Moll grapes in Mallorcan. This is a nice light and refreshing wine. It has slightly more white-fruit notes than Chardonnay, but is not sweet.

#3
Es Vermadors Rosé
Grapes: Manto Negro
Callet

Comments:
Tawnee: An authentic Mallorcan wine with Manto Negro and Callet grapes. This is a very distinct rosé. Perhaps my love of the Chardonnay made me not enjoy it as much as I could have. The name from this line from Ca’n Novell is Es Vermadors – in Mallorcan, a Vermador is a person who picks the grapes during harvest season; a fitting name for an authentic Mallorcan wine!

Merie: Es Vermadors Rosé is a blend from two local red grapes, Manto Negro and Callet. This wine is a testament to the quality of these grapes, which are often supported by foreign varietals! Very refreshing and appetizing!

#4
É Roure
Grapes: Merlot
Syrah

Comments:
Tawnee: An instant buy to try at home. This was written in the Mallorcan ABC magazine as Vins Ca’n Novell’s best wine, and I had to try it, it being their best and most expensive yet so reasonably priced – it was a no-brainer. I served it on my terrace one late afternoon. It held its own and was very enjoyable.

Merie: Andreu apologized that he didn’t have enough bottles left in stock to open one that late in the day for two people, so we didn’t try it in the tasting. He showed us a review in a magazine featuring the best of Mallorca, and it called this wine worth five times the price! So, untasted we each bought a bottle! Andreu said not to let it get too warm, to “drink it a little fresh.” Oops, I opened it at an outdoor lunch in a heat wave after a bottle of chilled Son Vives Juxta Mar — and I loved it! My husband didn’t. However he had it again that evening with steak and said that after breathing, and with red meat, it was wonderful. It is the kind of hearty, rich red I live for.

Thank you Andreu!

Please see Ca’n Novell Visit: Click Here

### Vins Ca’n Novell ###

Bodegas Ángel Wines Tasting

On October 29, 2015November 5, 2015 By mallorcawinetastingIn Bodega Angel1 Comment

Wines Tasted

◊ 2 White ◊

Blanc de Blanca 2014
Viogner 2013

◊ 1 Rose ◊

Lua Rosa 2014

◊ 2 Red ◊

Syrah 2010
Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Bodegas Ángel has a passion for perfection and the recipe to find it. The wine is a beautiful mix of Mallorcan terroir with an American style ingenuity, inspired from the owner’s many years lived in California. Dry wine is their forté, and they do it well!

#1
Blanc de Blanca
Grapes: Chardonnay
Prensal Blanc

Comments:
Tawnee: An excellent wine. Golden in glass – it has a subtle flavor of fruits and is very fresh. There is a dry finish. Crisp and good. It would be an excellent combination with a salad lunch on the patio or with ceviche on the beach.

Merie: We started with the Blanc de Blanca, 12% alcohol by volume, made from Prensal Blanc, Chardonnay, and starting this year with Viognier grapes. The aroma is fresh, light fruit and raisin, the taste bright, yet perhaps a tad tart… with both the whites we tasted, the grapes are carefully separated from the stems before being pressed to ensure purity of fruit flavor.

#2
Viognier
Grapes: Viognier 100%

Comments:
Tawnee: A white in oak – balanced and with character. A great wine to enjoy with a Paella on the beach.

Merie: Next we tried the 100% Viognier. It is 13% alcohol by volume, both oak and bottle aged. It was lovely with a mellow, balanced scent, and a gorgeous dry finish often not found with Viognier.

#3
Lau Rosa
Grapes: Merlot 75%
Manto Negro 25%

Comments:
Tawnee: The best rosé on island! An almost salmon color – it has an excellent fruity nose with strawberry flavors and a dry finish. It would combine excellently with fish – a delicious addition to a summer meal.

Merie: On to the Rosé, which is 14.5% alcohol by volume. Here too the grapes are de-stemmed before pressing. In 2014 it is 75% Merlot and 25% Manto Negro grape. It is dryer than many Rosé wines in a truly great way, one of the best I’ve had. It is fermented in French oak at least four months until dry, purposefully avoiding residual sugars often found in Rosés. It has a fresh aroma of strawberry, and strawberry notes were also found in the flavor: a nice constancy!

#4
Syrah
Grapes: Syrah 100%

Comments:
Tawnee: I always love the 100% wines as I can really begin to understand how the grape is supposed to taste. A solid wine – violet and expressive with subtle notes of berries. The hints of berry sweetness is contrasted beautifully with the dry ending.

Merie: Still clearing glasses from the previous tour, Andreas next poured the Syrah 2010. It is 13.5% alcohol by volume with wonderful aromas and flavors of dark and wild berry. As Andreas put it, the fruit notes are “expressive but not sweet.” It is aged one year in both French and American oak, and then held a minimum of one year in bottle.

#5
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon 100%

Comments:
Tawnee: I love a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon! An intense experience with a solid chocolate finish. It was very silky in the mouth. An excellent pairing for sobrassada, the traditional cured meat made on the island, which can be spicy or not.

Merie: Lastly, Andreas opened a new bottle and poured his Cabernet 2011. 14% alcohol by volume it is perfectly dry. I am reminded that in Mallorca many red wines are 14% alcohol because the sweeter the grapes are at harvest in this sunny climate, the longer it takes to ferment out the sugars, and the more alcohol is generated. Made of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, this wine was aged one year in French Oak only, and the associated rich aromas are satisfyingly balanced in this super dark berry wine. I bought a bottle and was even more impressed when I drank it at home. I would buy a case without hesitating.

Thank you Andreas!

Please see Bodegas Ángel Visit: Click Here

### Bodegas Ángel ###

ANA Vins Wine Tasting

On October 23, 2015October 28, 2015 By mallorcawinetastingIn ANA Vins WineryLeave a comment

Wines Tasted:

◊ 1 White ◊

Blanc 2012

◊ 1 Rose ◊

Rosat 2014

◊ 2 Reds ◊

Negre
Selecció

We love the simplicity of ANA Vins – four wines. A White, Rosé, Red and special red, all called by their Mallorcan color names; Blanc, Rosat, Negre and Selecció. The normal red and special red are made with the same grapes, but with different percentages and different aging time in French Oak. The bodega is relatively new, and they are working hard to preserve the work they have done. The tasting room is in a beautiful country room with a wooden round table. Perfect for a lengthy conversation over a good wine.

#1
Blanc 2012
Grapes: Prensal Blanc
Chardonnay
Muscatel

Comments:
Tawnee: The color is a delicate yellow, like dry straw. This is a fruity wine. Fresh and clean. Incredibly, it smells just like it tastes – A first on our Mallorcan Wine Trail! I can see why it was sold out. It would be great with fresh oysters.

Merie: Next Francisco opened a new, chilled bottle of the Blanc 2012 for us, made from Prensal Blanc, Chardonnay, and Muscatel grapes. Interestingly, it had very subtle aroma and then bold flavor! I have not encountered that yet!

#2
Rosat 2014
Grapes: Manto Negro 50%
Callet
Merlot
Syrah

Comment:
Tawnee: The color is a very soft red. It matches the delicacy of the taste. Made similar to the wine I really liked in Ca’n Pico where the grapes were pressed and then put inside at a cool temperature and they then removed the grapes and seeds fairly quickly allowing for a very clean crisp wine. This process is called Baja Magracion. This wine is very floral and is wonderful because it tastes just as good as it smells. It would be excellent chilled on the patio in the early afternoon.

Merie: We started with the Rosé, a first for us as every other tasting experience has started with their dry white and moved through rosé to reds. This wine is 50% Monte Negro, then a mix of Callet, Merlot, and Syrah. It has extremely inviting color and aroma, light fruit notes, and is satisfyingly dry. A very good rosé!

#3
Negre
Grapes: Manto Negro 35%
Syrah 10%
Callet
Cabernet Sauvignon
Tempranillo

Comments:
Tawnee: This coupage is beautiful – both in color and in taste. It is a mix of native Mallorcan grapes and classic grapes. It is a very easy wine to drink full of red berries and a small hint of spice. Perfect for pork chops with a light gravy or turkey.

Merie: Next came the red/Negre. Aged in French oak, the aroma tempted with chocolate and raisin scents. Xisco called it joven = young, because it only had one year in oak barrel – but in our experience most people call a no-barrel wine young. The grapes are 35% Manto Negro, 10% Syrah, then a mix of Callet, Cabernet, and Tempranillo. There was also light raisin in the flavor, in a surprisingly nice, dry way!

#4
Selecció
Grapes: Manto Negro 42%
Cabernet Sauvignon
Syrah
Tempranillo

Comments:
Tawnee: I love that this winery is using Tempranillo that I have tasted a wine made with Tempranillo. I have not come across it here on the island very much. A beautiful bold red. It is incredible to see what the difference a few subtle differences in proportions of grapes and time in oak can make to a wine. This would be great beside the roaring fire with some cheese, cold cuts and crackers.

Merie: Our last taste was the Selecció. Made from the same grapes as the Negre, in different proportions, and aged longer. With 42% Manto Negro it is aged 2 years in French oak barrels. The aroma was great, and the wine flavors very parallel to the aroma once it opened a bit in glass. The color is deep ruby. Xisco called the taste “suave,” and said “Tiene cuerpo.” Have your dictionary? Suave means soft, and tiene cuerpo means full bodied.

Thank You Xisco!

Please see ANA Vins Visit: Click Here

### BODEGA ANA VINS ###

Miquel Gelabert Wine Tasting

On October 8, 2015October 28, 2015 By mallorcawinetastingIn Miquel Gelabert Winery1 Comment

Wines Tasted

◊ 4 Whites ◊

Golós Blanc 2013
Vinya Son Caules Blanc 2013
Sa Vall 2011
Chardonnay Roure 2013

◊ 4 Reds ◊

Autonom 2011
Torrent Negre 2009
Seleccio Privada
Gran Vinya Son Caules

Going to a wine tasting at Vins Miquel Gelabert is a memorable experience! There is no shortage of wines to choose from! Miquel has 10 vineyards on the island and produces wine from 30 different grapes. This is no small feat for a family run business and is why there are a variety of wines and lines to choose from! They take the time to share with you their knowledge and make you feel at home. Every wine we tasted here was full of life and passion – exquisite!

#1
Golós Blanc 2013
Grapes: Riesling
Moscatel
Viognier
Giró blanc

Comment:
Tawnee: Golós is a wonderful fresh and crisp wine! ‘Golós’ means someone that tries something, and wants more; gluttonous. It is a unique white in that it is a mix of young wine and wine that has been fermented, around 40% of the grapes (Reisling and Moscatel) have been French oak for around six months. It would be excellent on a warm summer day by itself or paired with a fresh chilled salad or white fish. Delicious.

Merie: First we tried the lovely Golós 2013. It is 30% Crianza with Viognier and Giró Blanc grapes 4-6 months in oak barrel, blended with 70% Muscatel, Riesling, which did not go to oak barrel — so it still a young wine. It is a fresh, bright wine with just a hint of oak. The name Golós comes from the word “Goloso” meaning someone who loves to eat and drink, someone who “wants more,” understandably!

#2
Vinya Son Caules Blanc 2013
Grapes: Macabeo
Moscatel
Prensal Blanc

Comment:
Tawnee: The beautiful straw color is what I first noticed about this wine. It is a semi-crianza in the sense that it is only in French oak barrels for 3 months. This is different to begin with, white in oak and for such a short time. It adds complexity to the wine and I like it. It would be perfect to combine with any vegetarian dish as it is light, but won’t get lost in contrast to the vegetables.

Merie: These three local grapes blend to make a truly unique white wine. They are subtle, combine well, and the oak is used carefully to complement. The color is mouthwatering on a hot day, as are the fresh white-fruit and nectar aromas (I’m trying!) It is nicely dry but the fruity quality still shines. I would like to take a bottle to an artisan cheese maker’s tasting!

#3
Sa Vall 2011
Grapes: Giró Blanc
Viognier

Comment:
Tawnee: Sa Vall means the valley. It is a mix of two grapes that have been both fermented in new French oak for six months. The result is a very distinct white. I am not accustomed to drinking white wines that have gone to oak, but I like it. It is a white with structure and body. I think it would be excellent beside a grilled fish and veggies!

Merie: Next we tried the Sa Vall 2011: It is a White Crianza, 6 months in high-grade French oak and at least 6 months in bottle (3 years in our case!). The Giró Blanc and Viognier grapes are hand selected for this well-balanced blend.

#4
Chardonnay Roure 2013
Grapes: Chardonnay 100%

Comment:
Tawnee: I am not a fan of Chardonnay. I am trying to find it’s place in my palate, but I have not quite found it. I did enjoy this one. Perhaps the fact that it was 6 months in new French oak. It is a beautiful combination a French grape with French oak. It has around 14% alcohol. It is a very noble wine, golden in color and strong in the mouth with a dry finish. A good accompaniment to chicken or rabbit with gravy.

Merie: Maria poured the Chardonnay Roure 2013 next. It is a 100% Chardonnay Crianza, spending 6-10 months in top quality French oak. The grapes are selected very carefully by hand. It is smooth and crisp, with a dry finish. The grapes are purposefully grown in a small valley where there is less sun and they don’t over-sugar or burn. Many northern grapes are used to less sun, and they can over-mature in the sunny Mallorcan plain. Since aromas are in the skin, the Gelaberts are very careful with this. With less sun, the taste and aroma of this white are more in the French style Maria tells us.

#5
Autonom 2011
Grapes: Callet 50%
Manto Negro 20%
Fogoneu 15% (old vines)
Gorgollassa 15%

Comment:
Tawnee: This is a special wine because it started out as a joint production between two bodegas- Bodega Ribas and Vins Miquel Gelebert. The name is Autonom, which is short autonomo, which means authentic to the place it is from, so Mallorcan grapes only. This is a delightful idea to combine two Mallorcan wineries, using only Mallorcan grapes to create a truly Mallorcan special wine. Recently, Miquel Gelebert has decided to take on full production of the wine. A dominant wine with notes of red ripe berries and wild herbs. I think it would be great with Mallorcan caracoles (snails) or stew.

Merie: Next we tasted the Autócton, which was designed in tandem with Bodegues Ribas in 2011. It is a very savory, smooth, Crianza red made with only native grape varieties including Callet, Manto Negro, Fogoneu, Gorgollassa, and Giró Negro grapes, and all from old vines! The grapes were mixed and then fermented together. If you can find a bottle of this it is well worth drinking. The Ribas Winery is in a different D.O. and their Distributer is different, so after collaborating, apparently big Ribas “gave” it to Miquel Gelabert for distribution. What a partnership!

#6
Torrent Negre 2009
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon
Merlot
Syrah

Comment:
Tawnee: This is a common coupage that we are tasting, but I just love how every winery does it different. Miquel Gelebert has decided to age it in French oak and New American oak so there are notes of vanilla, smokiness and spice. It is a solid full body red. Like the name says- Torrent Negre- the Red River – it is a beautiful river that floods your mouth. I like it!

Merie: Maria then poured Torent Negre, 2009. This wine was aged 12 months in new French and American oak barrels, followed by further aging in the bottle. Maria called it “elegante y redondo.” I was comparing this complex bottle to the Autònom, tasting back and forth trying to get different words to describe them, seeing which I liked best. Maria smiled and said “Son buenos los dos, y ya esta.” – Get your Spanish dictionary out, you might as well learn some vocabulary too – “They are both good, and that’s that.”

#7
Seleccio Privada
Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon 100%

Comment:
Tawnee: This is a specialty wine that they only produce when there are good enough grapes to make it, and only from the best vines in the vineyard. Hence, the quantity of bottles produced is low. A rare gem – they have named it at the bodega amongst themselves – the wine makers’ ‘capricho’, the closest translation I can think of being ‘toy’….in the sense of a Ferrari is your toy. We tried it because we love strong, full deep bodied wines and this did not disappoint. Devine.

Merie: I love a good Cabernet and this 100% was a pleasure. Knowing these grapes were individually hand picked and then hand selected for this Selecció Privada lends to the joyful experience. Vins Miquel Gelabert are good at creating a full bodied dry red, where the fruit notes are strong but no residual sugars thicken the flavor. Give me this wine, dark chocolate, and some dry Spanish cheese and send me home!

#8
Gran Vinya Son Caules
Grapes: Callet 90%
Manto Negro 10%
and other varietals

Comment:
Tawnee: This wine comes from the oldest grape vines of this bodega – more than 50 years old (the Vinyes Velles). This is a wonderful wine with the local grapes, Callet and Manto Negro. The aromas are of ripe berries and with the mix of French, American and Hungarian oak creates a wonderful blend of spices and chocolate. An elegant coupage.

Merie: Our last taste was Gran Vinya Son Caules, made from a hand picked selection of grapes from the oldest vines. It is 90% Callet grape, the rest is usually Manto Negro and Fogoneu, depending on the year. The other varieties help with color, as apparently Callet oxidizes easily. Oxidation changes a wine’s hue and taste…as a wine ages it is oxidizing so winemakers keep track of this as they perfect their product. (Remember the purposefully oxidized wine at Cellar Ca’n Pico?) Maria said this is her father’s favorite. It’s the one he is presenting to show that Callet is a good grape, but standing alone it would perhaps not appeal 100% in color and aroma, and that would hurt sales. She said (and I translate and thus paraphrase) “Blends let you create the wine you want, the look, the scent, and the flavor. 100% of one grape can be no more than what that grape can offer.”

Thank you Maria!

See Miquel Gelabert Visit: Click Here

### Vins Miquel Gelabert ###

Ribas Wine Tasting

On October 1, 2015October 28, 2015 By mallorcawinetastingIn Ribas WineryLeave a comment

Wines Tasted

◊ 1 White ◊

Ribas Blanc 2014

◊ 2 Reds ◊

Sio 2013
Ribas Negre 2012

Wine tasting at Bodega Ribas is really like going over to a good family friends’ place. It is a loving and welcoming environment. Even though it is one of the oldest wineries on the island, you feel their desire to evolve with the times and keep current. It is a wonderful juxtaposition. They are driven to perfection and dedicated to the Mallorcan authentic grapes. A must on the Mallorcan Wine Trail!

#1
Ribas Blanc 2014
Grapes: Prensal Blanc 87%
Viognier 13%

Comment:
Tawnee: This is a beautiful colored white-fresh, delicate and clean. It is summer sunshine in a glass. It is a great combination of sweetness and citrus flavors, perfect for sipping on the patio while watching the kids or for combining with a great summer lunch of rice and fish.

Merie: The Ribas 2014 is a fresh, light, clean and crisp young white wine. The grapes are harvested by hand, and then again hand culled for perfect quality. They are gently pressed at low pressure before a long fermentation in Stainless Steel tanks at low temperatures to retain the subtle aromas of these unique grapes. The wine is 12.5% alcohol in strength. Enologist Araceli helped us understand the aromas: Prensal Blanc gives a delicious white fruit and citrus nose. The taste was crisp, and white-fruit, like pear and citrus, with a slight desirable-bitterness. Our guide Sylvia told us the Viognier gives characteristic complexity and smoothness as a balance and complement to the bright Prensal Blanc.

#2
Sio Negre 2013
Grapes: Manto Negro 50%
Syrah 25%
Cabernet Sauvignon 15%
Merlot 10%

Comment:
Tawnee: There is something beautiful knowing that a bodega honors their heritage, and this line of wines is named after the grandmother of the family Ribas – Concepsio thus Sio! This was my favorite wine we tasted. A very bold wine, it fills the mouth as a deep rich smooth velvety carpet unrolls for royalty. There is a hint of sweetness that mixes with some spice that makes it a perfect compliment. This wine is a great combination for grilled meats either on the BBQ or on the open fire.

Merie: Next Sylvia poured the Sio Nerge 2013. What a marvelous wine! Sio is aged 12 months in Oak barrel: 50% in new French oak, and 50% in second year French oak after it has aged their Ribas de Cabrerra wine! These vintners really know how to delicately weave their magic! Sylvia opened a new bottle for us and it needed to breathe; but then as the tannins softened, a great, complex flavor developed. The aromas were of ripe black fruit and spices, and the flavors almost tobacco and later to chocolate; Stunning! Araceli told us that in her view the 2013 was not quite ready – that the 2012 would be better now.

#3
Ribas Negre 2012
Grapes: Manto Negro 50%
Merlot 25%
Syrah 20%
Cabernet Sauvignon 5%

Comment:
Tawnee: The Ribas Negre 2012 has a beautiful deep red cherry color. The aromas match the color being full of red and black berries. This is an excellent stable wine that has just the right amount of tannins. A great compliment to a long lunch. Great for combining with lamb chops or rabbit in the autumn or winter.

Merie: Last, Sylvia poured the Ribas Negre 2012. It is aged 12 months in oak barrel: 75% French oak and 25% American oak for the different flavors they provide. It has 14.5% alcohol strength. Again, these grapes are all hand picked and then further hand selected. The fermentation is at a moderate temperature to preserve the desired aromas of red fruit from the Manto Negro, and the smooth tannins of the other grapes. The aromas are rich but light, almost chocolate, oh I was stretching to figure this out! I DID know that the flavor of this wine is so good, robust but not forceful. A true gem. Aracelli tried a taste and quieted: as today is unbelievably hot, she felt it had over-opened in our glasses – but I thought it was perfect.

Note: Because it was sold out we didn’t get to taste their signature red: Ribas de Cabrera 2012 which is 55% Manto Negro, 40% Syrah, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and aged 12 mo in 100% new French oak.

As we paid for the bottles of wine and T-shirts we had decided to buy, we noticed a special edition wine they made this year called: “Desconfio de la Gente que No Bebe.” The English translation: “I Don’t Trust Anyone Who Doesn’t Drink.” It has a unique label with a skeleton sitting in a chair and takes its inspiration from Humphrey Bogart. We couldn’t resist. We splurged and decided to buy it. It is a first year vintage and is Ribas’ tribute to the Manto Negro grape: 95% Manto Negro and 5% other grapes. There has been a lot of controversy over the Manto Negro grape as it can be a difficult grape and some think it cannot stand alone. Well, Ribas took the challenge and has created this rare wine. We look forward to uncorking it on a special occasion that will do honor to the passion and dedication to making this wine.

Thank You Sylvia and Araceli!

See Bodega Ribas Visit: Click Here

### BODEGA RIBAS ###

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Mallorca Wine Tasting

Tag: Prensal Blanc

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Miquel Gelabert Wine Tasting

Wines Tasted

◊ 4 Whites ◊

◊ 4 Reds ◊

Thank you Maria!

Ribas Wine Tasting

Wines Tasted

◊ 1 White ◊

◊ 2 Reds ◊

Thank You Sylvia and Araceli!

Thank you Toni!

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Wines Tasted:

Thank you Andreu!

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Wines Tasted

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Wines Tasted:

Thank You Xisco!

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Wines Tasted

◊ 4 Whites ◊

◊ 4 Reds ◊

Thank you Maria!

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Wines Tasted

◊ 1 White ◊

◊ 2 Reds ◊

Thank You Sylvia and Araceli!

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