Torres Cabernet Sauvignon Mas La Plana has a deep, dense cherry colour. Fragrant and enticing on the nose, with spices, blackcurrant and hints of cranberries, cherries and truffles. On the palate, focused and harmonious with plum, cassis, liquorice, tobacco and mineral notes. This wine marries density and freshness, presenting a long, plush finish.
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Brand: Familia Torres
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Description: Dry Red
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Vintages Available: 2016/2017
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Country, Region: Spain, DOQ Penedès
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Ratings: WE 95 (2016), JS 95 (2017) 93/100 (2016), WS 93 (2017) 92/100 (2016)
Grapes
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
About the Producer
Jaime Torres emigrated to Cuba in 1855. On the island he made his fortune through the flourishing oil industry and seaborne trade. In 1870 he returned home a rich man and went into business with his brother, a wine grower. Together, in 1870, they founded the family company, in Vilafranca del Penedès, where the company still has its head office. One of Jaime Torres’ ideas was to build a 600,000-litre wine vat, the largest in the world. During the Spanish Civil War the winery was bombarded, leaving everything in ruins, including the enormous vat. Miguel Torres Carbó, a fourth generation member of the family, rebuilt the winery in 1940 and started business up again. He brought an end to the sale of bulk wine and started to market it in labelled bottles. In the year of reconstruction, when France was under German control and unable to provide wine, Miguel Torres travelled to the United States to promote his wines. It was in this period that the brands Sangre de Toro, Viña Sol and Coronas first came into being.
In 1966 work started on the planting of imported grape varieties: at first Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon and later on Merlot, Pinot noir, Riesling and Gewürztraminer. That same year, Miguel A. Torres married Waltraud Maczassek, a German artist, who has also collaborated in the sale of Torres wines on the German market. When Torres produced their first Riesling they named it in honour of Waltraud.
In 1975, Bodegas Torres began growing organic grapes for wine.
In 1991, after the death of Miguel Torres, the winery passed into the hands of his son Miguel A. Torres, the company’s current President and Managing Director.
Torres is the family winery with the most extensive vineyards in the Denomination of Origin (DO) of Penedès and the largest winery in Spain. Outside of the Torres family's native Penedès region, they own vineyards in DO Conca de Barberà, DO Toro, DO Jumilla, DO Ribera del Duero, DOQ Priorat and most recently in DOC Rioja - in the last three areas with new wineries or wineries under construction. Likewise, Torres is also Spain's largest producer of DO wines under its own label, exporting to more than 140 countries.
They also run the Miguel Torres Chile winery in the Chilean Central Valley, and in the United States (California) where in 1986 Marimar Torres founded Marimar Estate.
Last year, for the second consecutive year, Torres was named The World's Most Admired Wine Brand by professionals of the sector, according to the ranking published by Drinks International, topping a list of 50 wineries.
Torres signed up to the Barcelona Declaration at the WCP in 2011; pledging to reduce their carbon footprint per bottle by 20% by 2020, as well as to make all buildings sustainable, recycle and recover materials to reduce waste, reduce the ‘water footprint’, to use only renewable energy, to conserve biodiversity and to limit the use of chemicals. Miguel A Torres, one of the architects of the Declaration, and Torres as a principle sponsor, strongly believes that, ‘wineries should put self-interest aside for the good of the environment.’
Vineyard
The grapes - generally harvested in October - are sourced from vineyards situated in Pacs del Penedès, close to Vilafranca, at 225 metres of altitude: 29 ha of unirrigated Cabernet Sauvignon on deep, yellowish grey-brown alluvial soils that are well drained and have a moderate water holding capacity. Made up of interbedded layers of gravel, sand and clay. The yield is 4,593 Kg/ha. and the grape clusters are selected manually.
Vinification
After the harvest, maceration, which lasts about 15-25 days is performed. The alcoholic fermentation, which lasts 7 days, takes place in stainless steel tanks under controlled temperature.
Ageing
Torres Cabernet Sauvignon Mas La Plana is aged mainly in new (85%) French oak barrels for a period of 18 months.
Tasting Notes
It is now 40 years since this mysterious Spanish wine was first released. Torres Cabernet Sauvignon Mas La Plana is now sometimes known as “The Black Legend” with its black label and dark Burgundy style bottle. Few had much faith in this project. Certainly nobody, back in 1979, could have dreamed that it would triumph in a Parisian blind tasting against some of the world’s most famous wines. In 1979, at the Gault-Millau Wine Olympiad, the 1970 vintage triumphed over some of the most famous wines in the world, including Chateau Latour and Chateau Haut Brion. This success has been repeated on many other occasions.
Deep, dense cherry colour, with a touch of mahogany. Fragrant and enticing on the nose, with spices and blackcurrant as well as complex hints of cranberries, cherries and truffles and an incense-like quality developed during ageing in wood. On the palate it is svelte, polished, focused and harmonious, with plum, cassis, liquorice, tobacco and mineral notes that mingle gracefully over well-integrated tannins. Great texture and structural depth as well as refinement. This wine marries density and freshness, presenting a long, plush finish.
Analysis
14.5% alcohol vol.
Food Suggestions
Torres Cabernet Sauvignon Mas La Plana pairs well with grilled, stewed or roast meats and game dishes. More elaborate dishes could include: Boneless free-range rooster with cured ham and red wine sauce; Lamb shoulder with spiced red wine sauce.
Serving temperature: 16-18°C.
Cellar
Stored under the right conditions, Torres Cabernet Sauvignon Mas La Plana will hold its potential for the next 10-15 years.
