Members enjoying pre dinner drinks
Following the AGM at Restaurante La Senia, Denia 64 members tasted the newly elected President Paul Nicholls’ President’s choice of 5 wines for our first tasting of the year. He had chosen to present 5 wines from 2 bodegas in Mallorca one of which the Society had visited on its Wine Trip to Mallorca in 2012. The first Bodega was the Winery Ribas located in the village of Consell, which has been making wine for over 300 years. A high percentage of the
Paul Nicholls introducing his wines
Mallorcan grape varieties Manto Negro and Prensal are grown here in accordance with the family tradition. The second Bodega was Bodegas 4 Kilos Vinícola. 4 Kilos does not have its own vineyard , but buys the grapes from local growers. Wine expert Francisco Grimalt participates and supervises each step of production , thus determining the quality of the product. he has been described as the hippie winemaker with a soul. The cost of each wine, where it can be purchased and average score given by members is shown in the list of wines tasted in 2018, which can be found by clicking on Wines Tasted in 2018.
The first wine was a white; Soma 2015 a 100% Voignier with a limited production of 6,500 bottles. This wine is the result of a collaboration between Bodega Ribas and Sioneta Oliver who, in addition to forming part of the Ribas family, also owns a Viognier vineyard in the village of Consell. This atypical Mediterranean variety that has recently come to light in the world of wine has adapted perfectly to the sandy and calcareous soil of Mallorca vineyards. The aim is to achieve the best Viognier possible, 82% is fermented in stainless steel tanks, the remaining 18% is fermented and aged for 6 months in new French oak barrels, where it is kept on its lees, making the wine more consistent and oily, offering complexity and smoothness. Light straw yellow in colour with a hint of pink, it is clear and brilliant.
A very aromatic nose with touches of tropical fruit (papaya), cantaloupe melon and white flower notes. The taste is delicate with pleasant evolution on the palate; fruity, very refreshing
and velvety.
Next came Ribas Rosat 2016 a blend of 60% Manto Negro 20% Gargollassa and 20% Callet with a production of 16,250 bottles. Light straw to pale pink or yellow in colour with a hint of pink, clear and brilliant. It has an expressive nose with pleasant freshness, soft aromatic citrus notes (pink grapefruit, lemon zest) and red fruit (currant and raspberry). In the mouth it is soft, fresh and sweet with a smooth subtle persistence; fresh and refreshing and yet rich.
The first red was Ribas Negre 2014 a blend of 50% Manto Negro, 32% Cabernet Sauvignon,15% Syrah and 3% Merlot. It is aged in second and third year barrels of 75% French oak 25% American oak for 12 months. Bright cherry red with violet highlights in colour, it has aromas of red and wild fruits and is spicy and balsamic. In the mouth it is powerful, balanced, warm with tannins soft and round. It has an ABV of 14.5% and a production of 26,744 bottles.
The second red came from the bodega 4 Kilos and is their 2015 Red made from 100% Callet grown on vines between 20 and 45 years old. 4 kilos is aged in medium toasted French oak barrels of 600 litres from Allier for 14 months. It has an intense cherry colour with a violet rim and fine, slightly tinted tears on the glass. A high intensity nose with nice aromas of ripe black fruit accompanied by balsamic notes, toasted notes, light floral touches, nuances of undergrowth and mineral aromas. On the mouth this shows good, bulky attack, and is fleshy and tasty on the palate with a high concentration of fruit, a good acidity and intense but enjoyable tannins. A long and persistent finish with a fruity, smoky aftertaste. It has an ABV of 12.5% and scor 91 points in the Guía Peñín.
The fifth and final wine was 12 Volts 2015, a blend of 60% Callet, 20% Syrah,10% Cabernet and 10% Merlot. Fermented in French Oak barrels for 2 to 3 years depending on grape variety. There’s more than a hint of Bordeaux to this wine, with forest fruit and a full bodied feel, but you also find leather and spice. Throw in some ripe fruit aromas and you’re getting the idea, but this is more than the sum of its parts. A cherry colour with a garnet edge it has a very expressive nose with fresh herbal aromas, kirsch and spicy notes. In the mouth it is balanced, tasty, long and balsamic, The Guía Peñín awards it 92 points and it has an ABV of 13.5%
The vote of thanks to Paul was proposed by the new Vice President, Maureen Holliday
Members at the tasting
Text and photos by Gaby Ferenczy January 2018
.