Drinks of the Month

Santa Maria del Cami Binissalem 2012, Mallorca

Posted by Fiona Beckett (Google+) on August 31 2013 at 10:59

Majorca produces serious wine? Go on, you’re kidding! No I’m not as it happens. This luxuriant red from Bodegues Macia Batle - surprisingly stocked by Marks & Spencer - is a great buy.

Mallorca has apparently been producing wine since 123BC - who knew? - and Binissalem is a recognised DO (Denominacion de Origen) in the centre of the island around the town of the same name. The wine is based on the the indigenous Mante Negro blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah - a Bordeaux-ish blend with an Iberian twist.

At 14% it wears its alcohol lightly - the oak is beautifully in balance with the fruit.

One of the recommended wine matches of Thai beef salad is a bit bizarre, though. I’d drink it with roast lamb but it would also pair well with a good steak or with a hard sheeps' cheese. And it should age, despite the suggestion you should drink it within the year.

I haven’t tasted the 2011 recently which is the vintage featured on the website but would have thought that it was still worth a punt at £9.99 if you come across a bottle in your local branch.

But fill your boots with the 2012 next time M & S has a 25% off deal.

PS I've just heard - through the invaluable Twitter - that Macie Batle's wines are also available at Inverarity Morton in Glasgow.

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