2004 Anima Negra Àn

• By Josh Raynolds
  September/October 2008, IWC Issue #140, (See more on Vinous...)

  (Anima Negra An Vi de la Terra Illes Balears) Login and sign up and see review text.

JancisRobinson.com

• By Jancis Robinson, MW
  11/21/2006, (See more on JancisRobinson.com...)

  (An Negra, An Mallorca Red) Subscribe to see review text.

RJonWine.com

• By Richard Jennings
  4/25/2010, (See more on RJonWine.com...) 93 points

  (Anima Negra Àn) Very dark red violet color; charcoal, spicy plum, rich berry, herbaceous nose; tart plum, spicy, berry, charcoal palate; medium-plus finish

Wine Library TV

• By Gary Vaynerchuk
  A Mallorcan Wine Tasting with Some Interesting Grapes, Episode #797, 1/8/2010, (See more on Wine Library TV...) 90 points

  (Anima Negra An) #3; COLOR-dark; NOSE-really sweet red fruits; and some spiciness for sure (black pepper); a little gaminess; big candied fruit; PALATE-I like this wine; it's well made, it's solid, I like the sour cherry fruit, but I'm a little concerned about the mid-palate; some nice floral; I like that it's not too over-the-top and extracted, great minerality; almost Bordeaux like; well made, but it's lacking some oomph for me and the body is a little light for me; this is Old World which I appreciate; JM-92; GV-90

Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  9/8/2008, (See more on Garagiste...)

  (Anima Negra AN) An Dear Friends, This is a wine from a unique place and its story alone is worth the exploration. As one of the more difficult wineries I've ever traveled to (on the island of Mallorca in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea), Anima Negra produces expressive wines from indigenous varietals and they hold nothing back in the intensity department. Modern? Yes, but what makes them unique is their relative isolation from the mainland. The typical vine louse, bacteria or malady present in continental Europe does not exist on Mallorca and to an even lesser extent on Minorca - the native yeast here is also different. This is as close as you will get to virgin terroir in Europe and the expression lies somewhere between Priorat and the Basque highlands. Think Txakoli meets Val Llach and you will be close. This region somehow manages to harness normal acidity levels as well instead of just over-ripe, blowsy fruit and the end result is a modern take on the tradition of Spain. I've been trying to find a parcel of this wine ever since I stumbled on the 2004 rendition of the "An/2" several years ago while watching the azure blue sea and a black-haired mermaid swim off the coast of Cala Falco - a sight most would stop in their tracks to witness (man, woman or child). Folklore or not (I'm still not sure), that sight defines the wild nature of this place and her allure cast an image that made all who witnessed it step a little lighter that day. With the weight off my feet, I found a well-stocked wine bar (with an outspoken owner) and it was there that I discovered the An/2 - or should I say, the owner forced me to try it. I had challenged him in my broken Spanish to pour the finest wine on the island and he didn't hesitate (I came to Mallorca to work, not to sit on the beach and my luck had been thin) - he poured me the An/2 and waited for my reaction. I didn't give him one. Instead, I paid my bill and walked out - more appropriately, trotted out, in the hope that I wasn't followed. The An/2 is a wine made from the cast-off grapes that fail to make the cut for the "An" bottling and If the second wine was that interesting, the flagship bottling was certainly worth a close look at the winery (not to mention 2004 was a great vintage in nearly all of Spain, including Mallorca) - this was a lead worth jumping into the car to find but I didn't want the shop owner calling the winery to receive his "commission" so I exited quickly...it was 3:00pm and there was still time to make the drive to the winery - little did I know the road would be as precarious as the Brio Swedish marble game - if you go to Mallorca, do not skimp on your rental car or you will be sorry. Tip #2 - do not drive the mountain roads after tasting 20 wines - the 100 degree heat combined with no A/C in the car is a recipe for falling into hole #6 on the marble game. I survived to tell the tale but I hope your support of this wine is worth the hair-raising experience....it taught me the reason for anti-lock brakes and their relationship with sand and dust... The 2004 "An" was produced from nearly 100% Callet - an indigenous grape to the islands. If fashioned in Italy or on the Right Bank of Bordeaux it would be $75-100. It is exotic but full of a regal, sultry quality that sets it apart. No shrinking violet (although the nose smells of fresh picked flowers), this wine is the perfect choice for those of you tired of Priorat's high prices and bored of Shiraz and its lack of diversity (or even Napa's me-too style). The 'An' delivers layers of fruit and interest while holding the taster's for an evening and beyond. From very old vines grown only in this small area of the Balearic Islands (the vineyard looks like something out of a moonscape), I would call this wine an international success story as it blends old and new in a very enticing way - it also blends cooperage from around the world quite successfully. This is a style so many have tried to produce but have failed at - think Numanthia with more of a soul. I also tasted the 2003 version of this wine and the 2004 is many notches above - it is obviously from a better vintage (I would pass on the 2003 if you see it around): HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - we have a terrific price on this wine about the same as in Palma This parcel is directly from the source with perfect provenance This is not the "An/2" which is the second wine - this is the first wine: 2004 Anima Negra "An" (Mallorca) Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Spain8660