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Wine Description
The Story
The highland estate of Milmanda, dominated by the castle that gives it its name, is where Chardonnay finds the most favourable conditions for its development. Years of patient research have resulted in Milmanda. The complex and harmonious combination of aromas of this elegant, noble wine elevate it to truly world-class status.
Estate of origin: Milmanda (Conca de Barberà)
Appellation: DO Conca de Barberà
Grape variety: Chardonnay
Story: 1,000 years of history. Milmanda was part of a route of medieval castles that sheltered Christians during the period of the Reconquista. The 12th century brought peace to the region and with it the return of winegrowing. In the vineyards around the castle, the Torres family now grows Chardonnay to produce this exclusive wine.
Yield: 5,000 Kg/ha. Manual selection of grape clusters.
Year vines planted: 1980
Surface area: 15 ha/ 37 acres
Elevation: 500 m
Slope: 0-5%
Orientation: North-East
Soil: Deep silt-rich calcareous clay soils that are moderately well drained and have a very high water holding capacity. They encourage balanced vegetative growth in Chardonnay and produce wines that are very varietally expressive and well suited to barrel aging. Reddish marl formations dating from the Oligocene period.
Rainfall: Annual average rainfall (historical): 587 mm
Temperature: Annual average temperature (historical): 14.2ºC
Winemaking: Barrel fermented (100%) and later partial malolactic fermentation (50%). Number of days of fermentation: 2-3 weeks. Fermentation temperature: 16ºC
Ageing: Aged in 300-liter barrels (60% new oak) for 4–6 months. Followed by 10 months of lees aging in vats.
Wine Information
Alcohol level: 13,5%
pH: 3.19
Total acidity: 5,3 g/L (tartaric a.)
Residual sugar: 0.6 g/L
Ageing potential: 4-6 years
Production: 22 806 Normal bottles (75 cl), 106 Magnums and 17 Jeroboams
The 2016 growth season experienced normal precipitation levels in keeping with the annual average. Temperatures were within normal range during the vegetative cycle, with spells of warmer weather.
Rainfall: Annual total rainfall (current vintage): 685 mm
Temperature: Annual average temperature (current vintage): 14.3ºC
Awards:
2015 vintage:
94 points, Decanter 2018
93 points, JamesSuckling.com 2018
Gold Medal, International Wine Challenge 2017
90 points, Decanter
2014 vintage:
90+ puntos, Wine Advocate 2018
94 points, JamesSuckling.com 2017
2013 vintage:
91 points, Wine Advocate 2018
90 points, Wine Advocate 2016
Gold Medal, Chardonnay du Monde 2014
2012 vintage:
The Global Masters – Gold Medal, The Drinks Business 2013
Vintage 2017
SPAIN 2017 Vintage /Extreme weather was seen across the wine world in 2017 and Spain was no exception. For most Spanish regions there were one or more climatic challenges to contend with including spring frost, drought, untypically high summer temperatures and occasional hail storms. Then, mercifully, the going got easier as more typical weather arrived for the August and September ripening period and generally very favourable harvest conditions.
Frost hit areas where it rarely does in Spain – many areas of Galicia were affected with only Rías Baixas getting off lightly. Castilla y León, with its wide stretch of regions from Ribera del Duero to Bierzo, often sees some frost but this year it hit with a vengeance. Jerez was one of the few areas to escape and the central area of Castilla-La Mancha only suffered frost damage in isolated areas.
The long drought and a very hot early summer period tested some varieties, especially non- indigenous ones. Older vines and bush vines with deep roots coped better with the extreme weather and soils with good water retention were a bonus.
The harvest was generally low-yielding and early, having been brought forward by an early bud break. But the length of the harvest varied and thanks to fine weather growers could wait for the best time to pick waiting for each area to reach maturity. In some cases where there was a secondary growth on vines after the frost, the result was a later growing cycle and vines reaching maturity at more typical dates.
Grape quality was often reported to be high with healthy bunches of smaller berries showing intense flavours and excellent ripeness. As always, those offering the best wines from this vintage are likely to have selected their grapes carefully.
While yields are down in 2017, this harvest comes after more generous ones for many Spanish regions in recent years and this should safeguard against supply shortages.
Recommended glass shape
Average Bottle Price
2020 |
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65€ |