2011 Bodega Tajinaste, Tinto Tradicional Valle de la Orotava DO, Tenerife Canary Islands Spain.
The Canary Islands are the new wine geek hot spot, there are some utterly delicious and stunning wines coming from these remote volcanic islands off the west coast of Morocco where the Western Sahara meets the Atlantic Ocean, it is fascinating how great these wine are, coming from where they come from. The styles range from sparkling wines to savory reds, with Bermejo making Malvasia bubbly that rivals Champage, Fronton de Oro crafts expressive and sexy reds from Tintilla and Listan and Suertes del Maques making reds that rival Crozes-Hermitage from 100 year old vines. Tajinaste’s Tinto Tradicional is a lovely and vibrant red that bursts from the glass with spicy intensity with floral tones, earthy black olives leading to blueberry, dusty plum and red berry fruit feeling medium weighted and lively with red cayenne pepper, chalky mineral and iron filled savory all spice. Hints of lavender, fennel and flint add complexity to this very fine effort and pure Listan Negro wine from the Valle de la Orotava on the Island of Tenerife.
($28 Est.) 92+ Points, grapelive
Avail at www.sfwtc.com ($26.95)