The Story
Perpetual has been created in homage to the old "vinos de guarda", wines capable of defeating time and therefore suitable for laying down. Howewer, Perpetual already reveals its elegance and harmony today and is notable for its great aromatic complexity. After the success of Torres' first Priorat wine, "Salmos", the family decided to make a flagship wine for the Priorat winery that would show its commitment to the area.
Origin: Perpetual is a wine born of time and the land. Old Garnacha and Cariñena vines planted on steep slopes of "licorella" slate form the essence of this wine from the Torres family estate. After a long ageing process, kept for 16 months in fine-grained French oak barrels, the bottles are finally laid down in the darkness of our small El Lloar winery until the desired balance is achieved. Perpetual is a homage to the Priorat wines made to be cellared. An intense wine, full of character, that was born to conquer time.
Appellation: DO Qualificada Priorat
Grape varieties: Cariñena and Garnacha
Winemaking: Number of days of skin contact: 20-24 days / Type of fermentation: In temperature-controlled stainless steel
tanks / Number of days of fermentation: 9-12 days / Fermentation temperature: 26-27ºC
Ageing: Aged for 18 months in new French oak barrels of thin grain
Alcohol level: 14.5% vol.
pH: 3.44
Total acidity: 5.48 g/L (tartaric acid)
Residual sugar: 0.6 g/L
Ageing potential: 10-15 years
Production: The following number of bottles have been produced in this vintage:
18.977 normal bottles, 250 Magnums and 75 Jeroboams
Producer's Tasting Notes: Very dark, intense ruby colour. An aroma of preserves (cherry, blackberry) and spices on a highly characteristic mineral base. On the palate it has great volume with an admirable balance between the wine’s fruity density and its spicy notes acquired through ageing in new oak (cedar, toast). During its prolonged, complex finish there’s also a hint of chocolate and tobacco.
Serving suggestions: Excellent with game, lamb stews and also with pressed cheeses such as Manchego, Roncal or Mahones. Serve at 16-18ºC.
Awards:
2016 vintage:
95 points, Decanter 2019
95 points, Decanter Magazine (Pedro Ballesteros) 2019
94 points, 100% Blind Tasted - Andreas Larsson 2019
93 points, JamesSuckling.com 2019
92 points, Wine Advocate (Luís Gutierrez) 2019
91 points, Wine Spectator 2015
2015 vintage:
94 points, Decanter 2018
93 points, Wine Advocate 2018
92 points, Wine Enthusiast 2018
93 points, JamesSuckling.com 2017
Wine Information
In 2017, temperatures were within normal range throughout the growth season, but showed some variation over time: the first half was warmer—June was particularly hot—but the ripening period was unusually cool due to lower temperatures in September. In terms of total precipitation, the growth season saw little rainfall, and it is worth noting that the ripening period was especially dry.
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 |
|---|
| 49€ |
This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.