Majorcan Wines

I am interested to know how you feel about the various merits of the majorcan wines compared with their main land rivals. Over the years I have asked the same question of a number of restarant owners who seem to feel that the local wine is somewhat expensive and not of the same quality as the mainland Riojas. I have been told that the price is reflective of the lack of supply of majorcan wines giving it an artificially high price. From a tasting point of view I dont think their is much to choose between them. My personal Favourite is a 1992 Baron De Ley


Senor Ken

we tried a lot of Majorcan wines while over, can't remember which for some reason or other (didn't have notebook with me) and though I believe they have improved in recent years, we did go back to drinking mainland stuff. Reds were a bit fierce and the others a bit sweet.

[JH02JLH]

Ah! Senor Ken!! Where do I start??

I am a great fan of Mallorcan wines but I don't think it is quite fair to compare them to the great Riojas of mainland Spain - and any others of course! Rioja is not the only wine of Spain!

I have been very impressed with the Mallorcan wines I have enjoyed and I have to say the Son Bordils Syrah is perhaps my favourite.

Hubby honestly thought it was a wine from the Rhone Valley so that is praise indeed, as he tells it like it is.

We both enjoyed this wine at Ca'n Costa in Pollensa and I think the key to enjoying these wines is to let them breathe for a while before drinking them. In fact most red wines benefit from a little air even if it is for half an hour.

In May we drank Mallorcan wines all the time and I bought some home with me. I have two left - the Aia from Miquel Oliver in Petra and a Jaume de Puntiro from Binissalem.

I took a bottle of the Ses Ferritges into the wine shop with me and my boss tasted it. He naturally tastes wines from every region of the world but he was impressed with the wine's "complexity". He was only put off by the costs of importing and how much he would have to charge for it, bearing in mind that it is from Mallorca and not a well-known region of Spain such as Rioja or Penedes.

Wine-making methods have definitely improved and I for one will be supporting the local industry by choosing wines from the island when we go.

I will also try some whites from Mallorca too in August, especially the Muscat from Miquel Oliver - it will be great on a hot day by the pool.

I like Rioja but actually prefer the more subtle taste of Mallorcan wine which isn't as heavily oaked as some of the Riojas I have tasted.

If you are out soon though, try and hunt down a bottle of Pata Negra from Valdepenas which is lovely and very drinkable. We found some in Caprabo.

And as for Baron de Ley - I have tried a 1998 I think a while ago and enjoyed it very much.

You are more than welcome to post any more of your recommendations on here and I will look forward to reading them.

Regards
Jane

Well Senor Ken
I am most impressed with your wine review! I note you mention from a tasting point of view you don't think there is much to choose between them, well you wouldn't because after the bottle of Baron de Ley, a liitle bird told me you drank 10 pints of lager, with 6 games of snooker followed by a late night at Chivas and were seen staggering home through the square at 5.30 in the morning, does this ring any bells!

[JH02JLH]

Hi Lady Pollenca and Senor Ken!

So nice to hear your fond memories and tales about life in PP but can we keep this thread on topic please!!!!

Of course, I would love to hear any recommendations that we could all try when we are in PP again! There are still lots of local wines that I haven't tried and any info would be useful for people visiting who might want to support local industry.


Just let me know!
Jane

Lady Pollensa,

Another little bird, or Poppet, (not to mention a Solicitor and Estate Agent) has told me that after a couple of glasses or two of Pata Negra from Valdepenas, one might just possibly forget where one has parked one's car, resulting in a visit to the local Constabulary to retrieve it from the pound, followed by a mad dash to the Airport to catch that flight home with just minutes to spare. In all of which, I have to confess to finding Senor Ken, he of the late night Chivas fame, to be entirely blameless!!)

(What would we do without our daughters and their friends mobiles!!)

[debz1]

Valdepenas!! Ah the memories..or lack of them! One minute sitting there thinking this is a mellow little number the next Hel...lo :eek where am I ? Who who am I? :\ Happy days

Now Hieirbas? Sec Dulce or Mixta? Anyone else (dared) try it ? It comes with a warning on the bottle :eek :eek but it's very nice... in moderation!!

Debs

[debz1]

Sorry Jane may have gone of the wine thread but not sure what hierbas is made from apart from herbs!

Hello Everyone

Hello Everyone, some very interesting comments! Yes I am partial to a glass of vino tinto, and particularly enjoy a bottle of Pata Negra from Valderpenas, Jane I am glad to hear Caprabo stock this wine, I can highly recommend the Pata Negra 1995, it has wonderful berry aroma's and a firm structure did you notice if this was in the supermarket? The Binissalem Reserva 1996 (Jose Ferrer) has been highly recommended to me by a spanish friend but as yet I haven't tried it.

Debz is the herbias green in colour with a plant growing in it? or am I on the wrong track altogether, if I'm corrrect stay well clear it's lethal!

[debz1]

Hi Lady P!

Thats the one, dark green strange shaped bottle with herbs in it!! Too late for warning I'm afraid :eek

Debs

I can sympathise, its the strongest herb I've ever tasted it certainly took the hairs off my chest! Well Debz I think everyone should try a small glass when in Mallorca and this will make us appreciate those fine wines all the more, next time your'e in Stay Jane and they ask if you'd like a small liquer on the house, Herbias is the one if you dare!

[JH02JLH]

Hairs on your chest, Lady Pollenca??? :eek

Should you be admitting to that in public??

Or maybe it has another meaning?

Jane


PS - Can we get back to the wines of Mallorca now please?

On a more serious note Jane, for a local white wine I agree the Original Muscat 2003 from Bodegas Miguel Oliver is a very good local wine and has received a number of awards, easy to pick up at about 10 euros.Did you notice if the Capabro Supermarket stocked the Pata Negra 1995?

[JH02JLH]

Hi Lady P!

I am not entirely sure about the vintage of the Pata Negra but I think it may be as we stock the 1995 in the shop where I work.

I will of course confirm this when I visit soon and I will be haunting the wine aisles of Caprabo.

Happy drinking!
Jane