Ignios Orígenes 2017 Tenerife Ycoden Daute Isora Baboso Negro 1.5 L

Ignios Orígenes 2017 Tenerife Ycoden Daute Isora Baboso Negro

Borja Perez's Baboso Negro comes from 22-year-old vines planted on clay and loam soils at 450m altitude. Fully destemmed, the grapes are fermented in concrete tanks for 18 days and then aged for 11 months in 600L French oak barrels. The 2017 is a BIG wine...not in alcohol, but in flavor and intensity. Sweet purple fruit on the nose, with significant grip and weight. Borja was breaking in a new barrel, so about 10-20% of the wine was in new oak, which lends even more succulent sweetness and baking spice to the nose. This should age beautifully. Though we often recommend decanting, I believe it's better to let this one open up in your glass slowly instead of accelerating the aeration in a decanter.    -EL

Ignios Orígenes 2017 Tenerife Ycoden Daute Isora Listán Negro 1.5 L

Listán Negro is the most widely planted grape variety in the Canary Islands, and a relative of Listán Prieto and Mission. Borja Perez's Listán Negro comes from a small half-hectare vineyard adjacent to a coastal banana plantation. The soils here are rich in iron, and the mineral core of this wine shows a sort of ferrous quality in tension with the ashy or smoky funk emblematic of the volcanic Canary Islands. Bright acidity, tart red fruit, and spice complete the intense, exuberant palate. On the nose, burned Mediterranean herbs, salty sea air, red flowers and tart fruit dominate. If drinking now, open well in advance or decant for the best experience. This is the sort of lighter bodied red that refreshes the palate and complements a heavy meal like Thanksgiving so well, and it has the aromatic and  acidic character to hold its own against all of the rich bounty on fall and winter tables. And who doesn't love to celebrate with a magnum? Ben Fletcher

Ignios Orígenes 2017 Tenerife Ycoden Daute Isora Listán Negro

Listán Negro is the most widely planted grape variety in the Canary Islands, and a relative of Listán Prieto and Mission. Borja Perez's Listán Negro comes from a small half-hectare vineyard adjacent to a coastal banana plantation. The soils here are rich in iron, and the mineral core of this wine shows a sort of ferrous quality in tension with the ashy or smoky funk emblematic of the volcanic Canary Islands. Bright acidity, tart red fruit, and spice complete the intense, exuberant palate. On the nose, burned Mediterranean herbs, salty sea air, red flowers and tart fruit dominate. If drinking now, open well in advance or decant for the best experience. This is the sort of lighter bodied red that refreshes the palate and complements a heavy meal like Thanksgiving so well, and it has the aromatic and  acidic character to hold its own against all of the rich bounty on fall and winter tables. Ben Fletcher

Ignios Orígenes 2017 Tenerife Ycoden Daute Isora Marmajuelo 1.5 L

Made from 100% Marmajuelo (one of only two grapes that cannot be traced to any varieties outside of the Canaries), this is a deeply intriguing Canary white that should not be missed! Perhaps a bit lighter on its feet than previous vintages, the 2017 is refreshing, and balanced, with lovely melon and white stone fruit on the palate, subtle oxidative notes, and a predictably mineral finish (we are talking Volcanic soils here!).    -EL

Ignios Orígenes 2017 Tenerife Ycoden Daute Isora Marmajuelo

Made from 100% Marmajuelo (one of only two grapes that cannot be traced to any varieties outside of the Canaries), this is a deeply intriguing Canary white that should not be missed! Perhaps a bit lighter on its feet than previous vintages, the 2017 is refreshing and balanced, with lovely melon and white stone fruit on the palate, subtle oxidative notes, and a predictably mineral finish (we are talking Volcanic soils here!).    -EL

Ignios Orígenes 2017 Tenerife Ycoden Daute Isora Vijariego Negro 1.5 L

This special red comes from a revived vineyard at 780m altitude in the shadow of Mount Teide  on Tenerife, planted to the distinctive local Canary Island variety Vijariego Negro (better known to Spanish wine lovers as Sumoll). Truly a treat on the nose and the palate, with notes of spicy red and black berries, savory herbs, and a dense underpinning of mineral-infused volcanic earth. In a way, the experience of the 2017 Vijariego is much like crossing the Ignios Listan Negro with a fine red Burgundy. A really elegant, albeit young, wine. Should age beautifully, given its tannic structure and mineral depth. Years ago, Borja told our colleague Ariana Rolich that this vineyard would soon produce his top wine. Though the Baboso is a pretty unforgettable red, this bottling of Vijariego is beginning to prove his words true!   -EL

Ignios Orígenes 2017 Tenerife Ycoden Daute Isora Vijariego Negro

This special red comes from a revived vineyard at 780m altitude in the shadow of Mount Teide  on Tenerife, planted to the distinctive local Canary Island variety Vijariego Negro (better known to Spanish wine lovers as Sumoll). Truly a treat on the nose and the palate, with notes of spicy red and black berries, savory herbs, and a dense underpinning of mineral-infused volcanic earth. In a way, the experience of the 2017 Vijariego is much like crossing the Ignios Listán Negro with a fine red Burgundy. A really elegant, albeit young, wine. Should age beautifully, given its tannic structure and mineral depth. Years ago, Borja told our colleague Ariana Rolich that this vineyard would soon produce his top wine. Though the Baboso is a pretty unforgettable red, this bottling of Vijariego is beginning to prove his words true!   -EL

Ignios Orígenes 2016 Tenerife Ycoden Daute Isora Baboso Negro

Borja Perez's Baboso Negro comes from 22-year-old vines planted on clay and loam soils at 450m altitude. Fully destemmed, the grapes are fermented in concrete tanks for 18 days and then aged for 11 months in 600L French oak barrels. Baboso Negro's profile is lean and aromatically intense, shown here with spice, salt, and smoke notes alongside raspberry, blackberry and ripe citrus. With the additional year in bottle stateside, this should be a real pleasure to open now.  -BF

Borja Perez Viticultores 2017 Tenerife Artifice Tinto

The Artifice Tinto is delicious in 2017! All Listán Negro, with great acidity and balance. Blood orange and baking spice on the nose, medium weight on the palate, and refreshingly mineral on the finish. Borja has been getting into whole cluster fermentation, and used about 30% whole cluster with this vintage. Even though the tannins of the stems are intense, he really likes the fruit profile, and we have to say, we love it too!   -EL

Borja Perez Viticultores 2017 Tenerife Artifice Blanco

100% Listán Blanco from multiple parcels in Ycoden Daute Isora (northern Tenerife). Fermented separately, the wine is then aged for 8 months - a portion of the wine in concrete tanks on the lees and the other in 500 liter barrels - before being blended and bottled with minimal addition of sulfur. This iteration of the Artifice Blanco sees some skin contact, which adds subtle structure. Tropical aromatics blend with golden fruit and a touch of nuttiness. Really a step up for the Artifice label from Borja. No longer simple "intro to Canary Island wines," these are top quality offerings that get better each year, as Borja gains more experience and familiarity with the vineyards.   -EL

Borja Perez Viticultores 2017 Tenerife Artifice Vidueno

Vidueño is a blend of local white grapes Marmajuelo, Listán Blanco, Albillo, Gual, and Foraster, from multiple parcels. Vinified in 500 liter French oak barrels and aged for about a year in large foudre, then bottled and aged an additional 8 months before release. Worthy of a carafe, this 2017 is a bit reductive on the nose, but this blows off to reveal curry spice, coriander and burnt orange. It's really a fascinating white that will surely benefit from short term aging.   -EL