Torres Mas la Plana Cabernet Sauvignon

Description

Torres Mas La Plana is the jewel in the crown of the Torres estate and a true benchmark for modern Spanish winemaking. Unusually for a premium Spanish red wine, it is produced from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine’s production has evolved through the years: during the 1970s, the wine was aged for six months in American oak followed by 12 to 18 months in older casks. However, since the 1990 vintage, the estate has exclusively used 100% French oak barrels for ageing. This modern approach ensures the wine remains a superb, deeply complex masterpiece with every single vintage.

Torres Mas la Plana Cabernet Sauvignon: The Black Legend

It is now nearly 50 years since this mysterious Spanish wine first appeared. Often referred to as “The Black Legend”, thanks to its striking black label and elegant dark Burgundy-style bottle, Mas La Plana was initially met with considerable scepticism.

Few believed in the project when it launched. Yet in 1979, at the prestigious Gault-Millau Wine Olympiad in Paris, the 1970 vintage stunned the wine world by triumphing in a blind tasting against some of the greatest names in Bordeaux – including the legendary Château Latour and Château Haut-Brion.

This landmark victory was no fluke. Mas La Plana has gone on to repeat its success on numerous occasions, earning an impressive collection of international awards and cementing its reputation as one of Spain’s most iconic and collectable wines.

The Vineyard

The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for Mas La Plana come from a single 29-hectare vineyard planted between 1964 and 1979 in the heart of the Penedès region. Located in the subzone of Turons de Vilafranca and flanked by the Foix River and its tributary, the Riera de Llitrà, the vineyard is spread across ten plots on two levels. The deep, gravelly soils (limestone, dolostone, and Miocene alluvial limestone) retain water well and provide the perfect terroir for producing structured, complex Cabernet Sauvignon.

Torres Mas la Plana Winemaking

• Grape Selection: Only the very best parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes are selected to make strictly limited quantities of this prestigious red wine.
• Maceration & Fermentation: Following the harvest, the grapes undergo a 28-day maceration period, followed by a 7-day fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats at 28–30°C.
• Oak Ageing: The wine is matured for 18 months in French oak barrels (60% new).
• Dietary: Suitable for both vegans and vegetarians.

About Familia Torres Wines

The roots of Familia Torres run deep in the ancient Catalan town of Vilafranca del Penedès, southwest of Barcelona, where the family has been crafting Spanish wines since the 17th century. By seamlessly blending centuries of tradition with bold innovation and an unwavering dedication to quality, Torres has firmly secured its place on the global wine stage.

Torres remains one of the largest family-owned and operated wine companies in the world, with acclaimed estates in Chile and California. Under the stewardship of fourth-generation Miguel Torres, the family is committed to sustainable viticulture and eco-friendly farming. Today, their exceptional vineyard holdings span far beyond Penedès into Spain’s most prestigious regions, including Rioja, Rueda, and Priorat.

As a proud independent merchant, Fareham Wine Cellar is delighted to stock a handpicked selection of these world-class, award-winning Spanish wines. Discover the incredible legacy of this Primum Familiae Vini member by exploring our range in-store on the High Street or browsing online for home delivery.