Torres : Perpetual 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for Torres Perpetual 2020

Tasting

Color
The wine displays a deep purple color.ri

Nose
The nose reveals remarkable complexity, with aromas of cocoa, smoke and vanilla interwoven with red and black fruits. Notes of tart cherry and ripe pomegranate come through, accompanied by Mediterranean herbs such as thyme and eucalyptus. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward aromas of figs, dried plums, and hints reminiscent of coconut and almond paste.

Palate
On the palate, this wine shows a medium body with a smooth, approachable texture. The tannins are very fine and elegant, unlike the sometimes excessive power of certain Priorat wines. The palate combines ripe wild berries with Mediterranean herbs, mineral nuances and notes of toasted spices. The finish shows exceptional persistence, with lingering notes of licorice and caramel.

Food and wine pairings
Perpetual 2020 pairs ideally with herb-roasted lamb, wild boar stew or venison caldereta. It also matches very well with grilled red meats, roast duck served with a red-fruit sauce, as well as aged sheep’s-milk cheeses such as manchego. Grilled and roasted vegetables with Mediterranean aromatics also make excellent pairings.

Serving and cellaring
Perpetual 2020 is best enjoyed at a temperature of 16-18°C. Decanting for two to three hours before serving is recommended to allow the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity. This wine can be cellared until around 2030 under good cellar conditions.

A tribute to old Priorat vines by Torres

The estate
Founded in 1870 in Vilafranca del Penedès by brothers Jaime and Miguel Torres Vendrell, Torres has remained an independent, family-owned company for five generations. Now chaired by Miguel A. Torres, the estate owns vineyards across Catalonia, including Penedès, Priorat, Conca de Barberà and Costers del Segre, as well as in Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Rueda and Rías Baixas. Internationally recognized, Torres was ranked the fifth most admired wine brand in the world in 2025 by Drinks International. The family stands out for its pioneering environmental commitment through the Torres & Earth program and for the recovery of more than fifty ancestral grape varieties threatened with extinction.

The vineyard
Perpetual 2020 comes from plots located in five villages of Priorat: El Lloar, Porrera, Torroja, El Molar and Bellmunt. The carignan and grenache vines, 80 to 100 years old, are planted on steep slopes characterized by llicorella, the brown and black slate speckled with mica and quartz particles that is typical of the appellation. These poor, well-drained soils force the roots to plunge deep into the clay layers, creating water stress that concentrates aromas and reduces yields to less than one kilogram per vine. The geographic diversity of the plots, including cooler and warmer areas, makes it possible to achieve a balance that expresses the authentic character of these century-old vines.

The vintage
The year 2020 in Priorat proved exceptionally rainy, with torrential precipitation in January and abundant rainfall during the first half of the year, surpassing historical annual records. Summer, by contrast, was almost completely dry, accentuating the natural reduction in yields. Early spring was unusually cold, while summer temperatures remained generally normal, although with warmer-than-average nights during ripening. Despite these challenging conditions, the 2020 vintage produced refined, concentrated Spanish wines of character, particularly successful for grenache.

Winemaking and aging
Perpetual 2020 benefits from an extended maceration of 32 days, allowing optimal extraction of aromatic compounds and tannins. Fermentation then takes place over around 12 days under temperature control. The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak foudres with a capacity of around 30 hectoliters. The use of these large vessels rather than traditional barrels favors the expression of fruit and mineral character over a pronounced oak influence.

Grape varieties
Carignan (83%)
Grenache (17%)