Familia Torres Clos Ancestral Penedès (DO) 2020, 14% ABV
€21.95 Bradleys
Moneu, an ancestral native variety, is key in this imposing Penedès blend.
In Dublin in 2015, Miguel Torres spoke of how the family were recovering or “recuperating” forgotten grapes, not always successfully. He revealed that they had recuperated 38 ancient Catalan varieties. Not all were good, but six were top-quality and “very well adapted to a hot and dry climate”. One of the successes, Moneu (an ancestral variety native to Catalonia), is part of the all-Spanish blend that makes this Clos Ancestral; the other grapes are Tempranillo and Garnacha.
The organic wine is a medium-to-dark ruby colour. Its rather intense aromas are expressive and inviting, hinting at natural red fruit with floral notes. The palate is strikingly fresh, with flavours of blackcurrant and spicy notes. The tannins are smooth, and the imposing wine finishes long. Very Highly Recommended.
Delicious and elegant, its finesse and versatility allow for a variety of pairings with medium-aged cheeses (think of Killeen Farm’s gouda, Coolea Mature, and, I can vouch for this one, Hegarty’s Cheddar), charcuterie, lean cuts of meat like sirloin or rump steak, and fish in cream or butter-based sauces. The ideal serving temperature is 14–16C.
DO Penedès
With 2,700 years of winemaking history, it is the oldest winemaking region in Catalonia. Penedès is a broad, open appellation that stretches across a swathe of land between the sea and mountains, midway between Barcelona and Tarragona. The influence of the sun and the Mediterranean Sea makes Penedès an exceptional wine-growing region. Its unique nature is responsible for the diversity of DO Penedès wines, with the differences in climate, landscape, and soil resulting in a thousand flavours and aromas.
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