Region: Conca de Barberà, Spain

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay

Tasting notes: From a vineyard nestled next to walls of the medieval Milmanda Castle; Chardonnay sits on deep clay soils that lend a lovely freshness to this wine. Decreasing oak use sees the 2017 vintage was aged for 4-6 months in barrel, then 10 months in stainless steel, with lees stirring to create texture. Creaminess to the mid-palate, balanced by fresh acidity that persists through the finish. Herbal notes, alongside crisp yellow citrus and pineapple. Expressive nose with tropical pineapple and banana, coconut and a buttery, brioche-pastry note. One of the best white wines of Spain. Drinking Window 2020 - 2026

Producer: Familia Torres founded its first winery in Vilafranca del Penedès in 1870, 150 years ago, but its roots in the winegrowing traditions of Spain date back to the 16th century. Five generations have carried the family business forward, passing on their passion for wine culture from parents to children – a passion steeped in respect for land and tradition, and a firm belief in innovation. Today the family focuses on wines from unique vineyards and historical estates, as well as the recovery of ancestral varieties. Familia Torres has a historical connection to Penedès, Conca de Barberà, Priorat, and Costers del Segre, but now its presence extends to vineyards and wineries in preeminent Spanish wine regions – Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Rueda, and Rías Baixas. Milmanda is revered as one of Spain’s most classic Chardonnays. It was first produced in the mid-1980s as a tribute to the Cistercian monks who came to the region from Burgundy, the home of Chardonnay. It takes its name from the Milmanda castle, which became the property of the Poblet Monastery in 1174, with the aim of perpetuating the legacy of this exceptional place.

Vineyard and Winemaking: Planted exclusively with Chardonnay more than 40 years ago, this 15-hectare, well-established vineyard lies at the foot of the Milmanda castle. The lime-rich calcareous clay soils have moderate drainage and high water-holding capacity. The vineyard is protected by the Sierra de Prades and the Mediterranean climate is tempered by the continental landmass. The climatic and geological conditions enable the variety to develop to its full potential, the unmistakable mark of this thousand-year-old landscape.