Monje 2008 Tacoronte-Acentejo Tinto Tradicional

Jay Miller

Jay Miller
Unfortunately I didn't have the time to linger over this that I would have liked (a call from work had me leaving most of the bottle at the restaurant).

At first sip I wasn't impressed. It seemed a bit light and lacking in flavor. But only at first. With each second that passed the flavors deepened and widened and the finish grew. Blackberries and leather.

My first Canary Island wine and certainly a wonderful value.
 
Lots of wonderful stuff from the Canaries around (although not exactly 'around'; hard to find them away from the islands, even in mainland Spain): among whites, Stratus and Bermejo dry malvasas from Lanzarote, Vitigo marmajuelo (yes, that's a grape) from Tenerife; among reds, Tanajara baboso (YTAG) from El Hierro. And the various, volcanic-terroir infused, wines made by the great Eufrosina Prez on La Palma island.

 
originally posted by Cliff:
I really liked this a lot.

How did it do with air? I only managed 2 glasses and the second one was gulped down while getting the check and then running to the office.
 
It's been a little while now, but as I recall it developed much greater depth and interest. It was a little simple when we first opened it.
 
originally posted by VS:
Lots of wonderful stuff from the Canaries around (although not exactly 'around'; hard to find them away from the islands, even in mainland Spain): among whites, Stratus and Bermejo dry malvasas from Lanzarote, Vitigo marmajuelo (yes, that's a grape) from Tenerife; among reds, Tanajara baboso (YTAG) from El Hierro. And the various, volcanic-terroir infused, wines made by the great Eufrosina Prez on La Palma island.


I must admit that I have felt excited finding this post about Canary Islands wines. These are not the kind of wines you can find abroad in restaurants, stores, wine bars, etc, not even in spanish mainland, what to say about USA...
Beyond sweet ones and malvasias, there is a huge territory to explore. Unique varieties as listan, vijariego, baboso, albillo, marmajuelo, etc., together with the volcanic terroir, tropical climate and centenary vine stocks never attacked by phyloxera, make these wines values to consider.
Far away lie the times when US declaration of independence was signed with a malvasia of Tenerife. Nowadays there are a lot of canary wines to consider, people caring about the vineyards and the whole process and outstanding wines succeeding in many wine competitions.
If I had to mention one of them, a red one, Suertes del Marques La Solana, "vino de pago" philosophy, listan negro, volcanic soils and with a deep respect to terroir.
P.S.: Forgive my english... Obviously, I'm a Canary Islands resident...
 
originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
originally posted by Francisco Javier:
Obviously, I'm a Canary Islands resident...

Is it true that you guys all live in coal mines?

Don't get it... Coal mines? There is no coal here... We are not Chile. Well, I suppose that you are making some kind of joke...
 
In this locale, Francisco, you have to sift through a lot of jokes, most of which don't make any sense, to get at the meager underlying substance. You must tread with care, however: if you irritate the people here, they will explain the jokes to you, which is much, much worse.

Thanks for chiming in, though. I'd love to learn more about Canary Islands wines. Joe - I volunteer to do a reconnaissance trip!
 
originally posted by Ian Fitzsimmons:
In this locale, Francisco, you have to sift through a lot of jokes, most of which don't make any sense, to get at the meager underlying substance. You must tread with care, however: if you irritate the people here, they will explain the jokes to you, which is much, much worse.

Thanks for chiming in, though. I'd love to learn more about Canary Islands wines. Joe - I volunteer to do a reconnaissance trip!

Understood... That is what happens when you are the newbie... Well, at every one's disposal to explain a little bit more what Canary Islands are about!
 
Welcome, Javier. (See, I'm even skipping the usual Wine Disorder greeting. I'm sure someone else will be along to supply it, anyway. Maybe someone can do it a good, modern, colloquial Spanish, just for the sake of variety.)

It's true that we're seeing a (very minor) explosion of Canary Islands wines here. It used to be zero, then it was one (Ordoez, I believe, bringing in El Grifo), and now it's more.

My in-laws were actually there last year -- don't remember which islands -- and reported drinking very well. Something to look forward to for myself.
 
Ian seems plenty jittery already, doesn't he? Someone else can pick up the other work. My plate is full.
 
Back
Top