Perpetual, DOQ Priorat — 2016
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Introduction
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Perpetual is a wine born of time and terrain. The old Garnacha and Cariñena vines are between 80 and 100 years old and grow on steep, rocky slopes. Llicorella (slate) is the essence of this beautifully concentrated wine with great personality. The parcels are small and located near several villages of El Priorat. They belong to local winegrowers, but undergo rigorous controls to ensure that the fruit is of the highest quality. Perpetual is a tribute to the well-aging Priorat wines, intense, full of character and born to defeat time.
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Vineyard Profile
- Appellation: DOQ Priorat
- Soil: Shallow soils developed over Carboniferous slate (Paleozoic) that drain swiftly and have a low water holding capacity. Arranged along steep slopes, these soils are responsible for the typicity of Priorat wines.
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Vintage Report
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Although overall temperatures were normal in 2016, their distribution was irregular: the year got off to a cold start, the summer was generally normal, and the end of the season was warm, especially the months of September and October. In terms of total precipitation, 2016 could be considered a normal year. However, it is worth noting that the vegetative cycle was dry and the ripening period, very dry.
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Vinification
- Fermentation: In stainless steel under controlled temperatures
- Maceration: 20-24 days
- Barrel Aging: Aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels of thin grain
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 80% Cariñena and 20% Garnacha
- Alcohol: 14.5%
- TA: 5.3 g/L
- p H: 3.44
- RS: 0.6 g/L
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Tasting Notes
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An elegant and harmonious red, displaying characteristics found in only the finest Cariñena and Garnacha blends. The combination of Priorat’s llicorella soil and temperate growing conditions yields medium bodied expression with highly approachable phenolic qualities. An exotic blend of ripe forest fruit, Mediterranean herbs, mineral nuances, and toasted holiday spice. An age worthy wine that drinks beautifully today.
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Images
Reviews
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Familia Torres Perpetual, DOQ Priorat — 2016 – Vinous – 93 Points
Glistening ruby. Spice-and mineral-accented blueberry and cherry on the expansive nose; licorice and floral qualities emerge with aeration. Shows very good depth as well as energy, offering bitter cherry and dark berry flavors that take a sweeter turn on the back half. The mineral note comes back strong on a long, penetrating finish that features chewy tannins and lingering floral and spice cake notes.
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Familia Torres Perpetual, DOQ Priorat — 2016 – Wine Enthusiast – 94 Points
Schisty aromas of iron and steel are hard to miss on a nose with earthy but fully ripe berry scents. This textbook Priorat blends minerally grip with creamy weight and pulpy ripe flavors of black cherry and black plum, while the finish is slightly sweet and on the easy side, indicating an open drinking window of now through 2026.
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Familia Torres Perpetual, DOQ Priorat — 2016 – Wine Spectator – 91 Points
This plush red delivers round, ripe flavors of black cherry, blackberry, cinnamon, clove and toast. The tannins and acidity are gentle, but maintain focus and freshness. Generous, with good depth. Cariñena and Garnacha. Drink now through 2030. 28 cases imported.
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Familia Torres Perpetual, DOQ Priorat — 2016 – The Wine Advocate – 92 Points
The polished and sleek 2016 Petpetual has more of the slate character from the Priorat soil, with notes of graphite, berries and Mediterranean herbs. It's an old-vine blend of 80% Cariñena and 20% Garnacha that fermented in stainless steel vat with indigenous yeasts and an élevage of 18 months in new French oak barrels. It doesn't feel like there's a lot of new oak here, which is good in my book. The palate is medium to full-bodied with abundant, slightly dusty tannins, some rusticity and a dry, serious finish. It was bottled June 2018.