My pre-Valentine’s evening was dedicated to a beautiful online wine tasting that I hosted for American wine lovers. One of the wines I enjoyed that evening was the Butibalausi Seleccio 2015 from the mid-production range of Andreu and Mireia Oliver of the Can Majoral in Mallorca.
Andreu Oliver is one of the pioneers of organic viticulture on the Balearic Island. He has been producing wine since 1979 and now owns around 17 hectares in the Pla I Levant appellation.
The Seleccio is a Cuvee of the local Callet grape and Cabernet Sauvignon. Callet means “black” in the local dialect, which references the wine’s colour and intensity. About 140 hectares are planted with the grape variety in Mallorca. The Callet is perfectly compatible with the warm Mediterranean climate of the island. The wines used to show a relatively straightforward character. Still, good producers like the Olivers produce from Callet very high quality and exciting wines – often as a blend.
The 2015 Butibalausi shows a combination of black cherry, blackberry, cassis, tobacco and clove aromas and flavours. The fresh acidity well balances the alcohol of 14%. The tannins are well-rounded even if they dry out a bit on the finish: medium length and very pleasant to drink.
The unusual name of the wine derives from an old Arabian homestead name.
