Torres - Perpetual 2017
Torres Description
Familia Torres presents the 2017 vintage of Perpetual (DOQ Priorat) which brings a new look to the brand. This flagship Priorat wine, which the winery has produced since 2005, now comes in a Burgundy-style bottle and features a refreshed design based on simplicity and elegance. The new label is in line with Mas de la Rosa, the most exclusive winemaking project of this 150-year-old family-owned winery.
Perpetual 2017 is predominantly Cariñena with 20% Garnacha added to the blend. The grapes come from old vines (over 80 years old) planted on costers, steep llicorella schist hillsides. The wine originates from small parcels owned by local growers in five Priorat municipalities – El Lloar, Porrera, Torroja, El Molar, and Bellmunt – which makes it possible to combine cool and warm climate zones to achieve the balance that best expresses the authentic character of the old vines of DOQ Priorat.
In addition to the new look, the current vintage also introduces changes in terms of winemaking. Old Cariñena vines, which lend distinct expression to the region's llicorella soils, have an even greater presence in the new blend, and reducing the length of skin contact further emphasizes the fresh, floral character of the variety. Furthermore, the aging barrels are giving way to 1,500-liter foudres for a more delicate oak treatment which allows the fruit to shine.
The 2017 vintage was dry and slightly warmer than usual. Higher temperatures prevailed during the first part of the growth season but grew milder during fruit maturation, especially in September, which was a somewhat cooler but dry month. Perpetual 2017 has received an average rating of 96 out of 100 points from the leading wine guides in Spain (Peñín, Gourmets, Proensa, and Vivir el Vino) and 92+ Parker points.
According to Miquel Torres Maczassek, fifth generation Familia Torres, “We began making Perpetual more than 15 years ago in order to preserve the old vines of Priorat. Given the difficulty of cultivating these steep hillside parcels and their low yields, only about 150 hectares of 80-plus-year-old vineyards remain in the area. Perpetual captures the essence of these small parcels and pays tribute to the valiant work of their growers.”
Vinous Media: 94 Points
A tight, focused red with blueberry, conifer, chocolate and cedar aromas and flavors. Rather linear in texture and length. A little tight, but a delicious and savory, even subtle wine in the end. Drinkable now, but better in 2021.
Wine Advocate: 92 Points
I tasted two vintages of the old-vine red from Priorat, from two very different years, and in both they have introduced some changes. The 2017 Perpetual comes from a warm, dry and low-yielding year when they went for a less-extractive vinification (shorter macerations), especially in the case of the Cariñena, which represents 79% of the blend here, with the remaining 21% being Garnacha. The grapes are sourced from slopes of old vines from local growers in the villages of Porrera, Torroja, Lloar, Molar and Bellmunt, mixing warmer and cooler places, trying to achieve a balance that expresses the character of the place. It fermented in small stainless steel vats with indigenous yeasts and matured for 17 to 18 months in French oak barrels and foudre, only 30% of them new, while in the past it was up to 100% new. There are notes of wild berries and herbs and a layer of spices and earth. It's medium to full-bodied, with some grainy tannins, flavors of ripe grapes and a dry, long finish. 18,977 bottles and some larger formats produced. It was bottled in July 2019.
Wine Spectator: 91 Points
Silky-textured tannins surround the black cherry, balsamic, mocha and pureed raspberry flavors of this concentrated red. A fresh acidity keeps this focused, with mountain herb, spice and licorice notes gaining traction on the finish. Drink now through 2028. 1,648 cases made, 32 cases imported.
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