WTN: Spanish Wines from Jose Pastor Selections

Not being familiar at all with the Jose Pastor Selections portfolio, I went to this tasting at the Wine Bottega in Boston because there were some Canary Islands wines on the list. Overall, I was quite impressed with the wines, especially at the prices they were offered at. I will definitely seek out more of the wines that Jose Pastor is bringing in.

2009 Aforado Albariño Rías Baixas
Contains small amounts of Caino Blanco and Loureiro. I’m generally not a big Albariño fan – most of those that I have had have tasted like lesser examples of Sauvignon Blanc. This non-malolactic wine was a nice surprise, then – light in weight, delicate, and fresh; bone dry, nicely balanced, with good underlying acidity. Very mineral, lightly floral, with tropical fruit notes. Very good. $18.

2008 Bodegas Los Bermejos Malvasia Seco Lanzarote
Each of these wines from Bodegas Los Bermejos come in an unusually shaped bottle, shown here: http://www.losbermejos.com/view_product ... 1MALGUIWZ6. Note the irregularly shaped rim of the bottleneck, which almost seems as if it has a tip for pouring.
100% pre-Phylloxera Malvasia. Rather herbal nose. Medium-bodied, dry, lightly round, and well balanced, with notes of citrus and stone fruits, honey, and melons. Very good. $24.

2008 Bodegas Los Bermejos Tinto Maceración Carbónica Lanzarote
100% pre-Phylloxera Listán Negro. Reminiscent of a good, lighter Beaujolais, such as Chiroubles or Régnié. Light in weight, focused, with correspondingly light tannins; well balanced, with good underlying acidity. Shows aromas/flavors of red berries, minerals, and roses. Very good+. $24.

2008 Bodegas Monje Tinto Tradicional Tacoronte-Acentejo
Tacoronte-Acentejo is an appellation covering the Anaga Peninsula on Tenerife Island. This wine is a blend of Listán Negro (closely related to the Mission grape), Listán Blanco (a.k.a. Palomino), and Negramoll (better known as Tinta Negra Mole).
Roasted pepper nose reminiscent of Chinon. Light in weight and tannin, with good underlying acidity, and notes of red fruits, cedar, and tobacco. Very good+. $23.

2008 Vera de Estenas P.G. Bobal Madurado en Barrica Utiel-Requena
Moderately full-bodied, lightly oaky, well balanced, with dusty tannins and moderate acidity. Shows notes of plums, cherries, spices, and cedar. Very good – great QPR at $13.

2009 Celler el Masroig Montsant Clos de Noi Vinyes Velles
100% old vine Carignan. Medium-bodied, lightly oaky, with light to moderate tannin. Focused and nicely balanced, with notes of dark fruits, stones, cayenne pepper, and spices. Good/very good. $15.

I've had the Bermejos Malvasia Seco Lanzarote (Canary Islands) at Bay Wolf in Oakland. A really delightful starter white that won't drag you under the table. I wish it were easy to find at retail.

I've had the Canary Island red wine, and thought it excellent, have to look out for the white. Plus I use the bottle to keep olive oil in afterwards, it's too beautiful to recycle.

I met Jose Pastor while having dinner at SF Joes in NY. Joe Dressner distributes Jose's wines on the west coast through his Co. Farm Wine Imports. I'll have to taste some of his wines, we already sell Joe's stuff. The wines sound interesting, whether they can be sold in SO CA is another question.