To echo a Monthly Wine Focus topic from some time ago, there is a lot more to Spanish wine than Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat. I've come to realize that Txakolina - at least the white and the rosé versions - are great wines for the warmer weather. Also, I continue to be impressed by Jose Pastor's portfolio, which features a lot of well-priced wines from less familiar winegrowing regions in Spain, such as this interesting Mallorcan red.
2011 Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina Rubentis
50% Hondarribi Beltza/50% Hondarribi Zuri.
Medium-bodied, frizzante, nicely balanced, with good underlying acidity; very mineral, with peach and watermelon notes. Really liked the powerful minerality here. Very good/excellent.
2010 Arabako Txakolina, S.L. Arabako Txakolina “Xarmant”
Mostly Hondarrabi Zuri, with small amounts of Izkiriota, Izkiriota Ttippia, and Hondarrabi Zuri Zerratia (respectively, Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, and Petit Courbu).
Floral/golden fruit nose. Light to medium-bodied, frizzante, bone dry, nicely balanced, with refreshing acidity. Very mineral, with lemon, lime, and red berry flavors. Very good.
2010 Vinyes i Vins Ca Sa Padrina Binissalem-Mallorca “Montenegro”
Mostly Manto Negro, with small amounts of Callet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah here.
Nose of black pepper and lava. Full-bodied, somewhat chewy, well balanced, with moderate acidity/tannins. Spicy, strongly volcanic in character, with dark berry and chocolate flavors, although it is not an oaky chocolate. Good length. Day 2: tannins are resolved, some mint notes. Very good.