Miguel Torres was in town, to discuss Torres’ environmental concerns, and also to show some new wines. I have great respect for Mr Torres, who has made the environment and climate change a big focus for his company. It’s a real interest of his, and a couple of years ago I took part in an Eco-Sustainable forum they organised in Vilafranca. Prior to that, on a visit in 2012, I was given a look at some of the research they were undertaking.
Currently, Torres are making a big effort to influence their suppliers, because 80-90% of the carbon footprint of a wine is in the logistics chain. ‘The best way for us to reduce our carbon footprint is through our suppliers,’ he says. Last week, Mr Torres was in Barcelona giving out awards to suppliers based on their environmental performance. He’s convinced that photovoltaic panels are the energy of the future, and Torres have recently added 6000 m2 of these solar panels, in addition to the 12 000 m2 they already have. He’s frustrated though that the power company is refusing to let them add these new panels to the grid. ‘I wrote an angry letter to he minister,’ he says.
One of his goals is to be able to capture CO2 produced during fermentation. ‘If we can change it to CO, we can make carbonates, which are very stable,’ he says. Torres take a long-term approach. They have bought potential vineyard sites in cooler areas in Aragon which they can’t yet plant (they are still too cool), as an insurance policy. ‘We plant today and think: how is it going to be in 40 years?’
Miguel Torres Chile Santa Digna Estelado Uva País Extra Brut NV Chile
This is a new wine, and it’s an organic traditional method fizz from País. Very fresh, pure and lively with subtle but bright citrus and red cherry fruit, showing lovely focus. Very linear and fruit driven. Subtle and pure. 88/100
Torres Sons de Prades Chardonnay 2014 Conca de Barbera, Spain
This is from Milmanda from the younger vines, and it’s 50% oak fermented and aged for 6 months. Lovely weight here: it’s rounded with some mealy notes and nice texture, with white peach and pear fruit. There’s some richness and also some freshness, with elegant citrus notes on the finish. 91/100
Jean Leon Vinya Palau Merlot 2011 Penedes, Spain
25% new oak. Ripe with lovely texture to the gravelly, spicy black cherry and blackberry fruit. Good structure with some supple berry fruits and a slightly citrus peel edge. Lively and delicious. 92/100
Purgatori 2013 Costers del Segre, Spain
This is a blend of Carineña, Garnacha and Syrah. Spicy, savoury, cedary edge to the fine, sweet blackberry and black cherry fruit. There’s lovely richness to it but it’s still in balance. Seductive and supple with nice balance as well as a slightly chocolatey edge. Lovely ripe wine. 93/100
1 Comment on Some new Torres wines, with Miguel
Tried the 2013 Purgatori recently and liked it a lot. Quite big wine with very nice fruit.