A blend of 35% Mazuelo, 35% Syrah and 30% Garnacha the 2009 Mas de Can Blau has a lifted nose of blueberry cheesecake, black olives and a touch of licorice, with nicely integrated oak that is a little pinched at first. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and plenty of ripe blackberry and raspberry fruit. It seems tauter and more poised than some of Gil Family Estate's other wines and should drink nicely over 2 or 3 years. Drink now-2016.
The trio of wines from Cellars Can Blau in Montsant paradoxically seemed to curry less favor the more expensive they become, especially when you factor in their prices. While the entry-level Blau represents outstanding value, with delicious, sappy red fruit flavors, both the Can Blau and Mas de Can Blau seemed labored by comparison. After tasting these wines, I served all three blind to a group of wine-lovers and asked which one they preferred. They all selected the Blau and indeed ranked them in reverse order of price!
Importer: Gil Family Estates, Jumilla, Spain, with various importers/distributors.