4 Kilos Vinicola Motor America: A Light Red Wine From Mallorca

The island of Mallorca, which is part of Spain, is the largest of the Balearic Islands in Mediterranean Sea and is located roughly 128 miles south of Barcelona. The history of wine making on this island extends back to the ancient Romans but in modern times, in 2002, there were only about 10 wineries on Mallorca. However, in the next 20+ years, this number expanded to about 100 wineries, and some of their wines are now available in the U.S. 

Have you tasted a wine from Mallorca? I first tasted a Mallorcan wine back in 2007, and have enjoyed a few others over the years. So, I've always been interested in tasting more of their wines.  

4 Kilos Wines was founded in 2006 by Francesc Grimalt, a Mallorcan winemaker, and Sergio Caballero, a musician. Initially, this was a tiny operation, and they made their wine in "milk refrigeration units on a sheep farm." A year later, they were able to expand, and create a small winery, producing wine from organically grown, indigenous grapes which average 25-50 years old. The name of the winery, "4 Kilos," refers to their original investment of 4 million pesetas (about $27,000 U.S.). Certainly a small investment. They are passionate about highlighting indigenous grapes and showcasing terroir in their wines. 

The 4 Kilos Vinicola Motor America ($24.95) is made from 100% Callet, a grape indigenous to Mallorca. I'll note that the name of this wine, "Motor America," is a nod to Grimalt's father, who worked in the auto industry. Grimalt, when he was the winemaker at Ànima Negra, played a significant role in establishing Callet as a valued grape at a time when many others saw it as an inferior grape. "Callet" means ‘black’ and the grape is dark-skinned, most commonly used in the production of Rosé. Callet also tends to be low in alcohol, with soft tannins, prominent raspberry flavors with sometimes spicy and herbal notes. I've previously had Mallorcan wines made with Callet, but it was always used in a blend, so this was the first time I tried a 100% Callet wine.

Their Callet comes from organic vineyards, which are over 50 years old, and which grow in Cal Vermell soils, which are reddish, iron-rich and porous. The grapes are foot trodden, a rare practice nowadays, and fermented with native yeast. It's then aged in clay amphora and stainless steel for about five months. The resulting wine is also bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without any added sulfur dioxide and at an 11% ABV. 

With a fruity aroma, this wine is light bodied with delicious red fruit flavors, especially raspberry, with hints of black olive and herbs. It's smooth and easy drinking, with a satisfying finish and a rather unique taste. This is the type of wine which could also be slightly chilled if that's your preference, especially during the upcoming summer. It's excellent on its own, but would pair well with foods suck as roast chicken or duck, or a roast pork loin. Highly recommended!