Monje, Vino de Calidad de las Islas Canarias DOP (Canary Islands, Spain) 2018

 This eminently drinkable wine from the Canary Islands is a traditional Island blend starting with 85 percent Listan Negro, indigenous to the Canary Islands.  Listan Blanco, also known as Palamino, at 10 percent of the wine adds bright freshness and fixes the red color as in the Rhône Valley where they ferment Syrah with a touch of Viognier.  Rounding out the blend is five percent of Negromoll, native to Andalucia (Wine Grapes, Robinson, et al, page 709).  It was fermented in stainless steel and spent four months in old oak barrels.  It boasts a dark ruby color and aromas of black cherry with a touch of red currant.  With almost three years in the bottle, it is sea-breeze fresh, with juicy, but lean black cherry fruit laced saline notes.  Smooth tannins balance the juicy fruit.  Serve it with a juicy burger.