Antología Miguel Torres (III): Grans Muralles

The history of Conca de Barberà speaks to us through Grans Muralles, like a palpable, emphatic whisper across the centuries. It echoes in our glass, much like it permeates the slate soils, the endless porticos around the courtyards of the Poblet monastery, and the impassive silence of the stones in the great wall the Cistercians built in the 14th century.

The components that coalesce into the unmistakable identity of Grans Muralles can be found in the rocky llicorella slate soils, the harsh climate, and the region's rich and innovative winemaking heritage. The varieties are also key, including the long-forgotten Garró and Querol, which the Torres Family revived and added to the Mediterranean profile of Garnacha Tinta, Samsó and Monastrell.


[[{"fid":"11265","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":500,"width":705,"class":"media-element file-default"}}]]

DO CONCA DE BARBERÀ

  • The appellation of origin, traditionally known for its whites, is located in the southern part of Catalonia, between the provinces of Tarragona and Lleida, in the basin of the Francolí and Anguera rivers.

  • The Mediterranean climate brings intensely hot summers and harsh winters, little rainfall, and many hours of sunshine per year.

  • The Sierra de Prades mountains shield the area from warm maritime winds, creating a continental microclimate within an otherwise Mediterranean region.

  • The locals have understood and managed this climatic context throughout history, turning their culture and traditions into the foundation for the region's captivating wine world.

  • The deep rocky soil, with layers of slate gravel and Paleozoic granite, provides a natural bed that nourishes and protects the vines, which benefit from its swift drainage and low water holding capacity.

  • The mineral-rich soils and limited water supply make it possible to produce wines of great typicity, concentration and exceptional quality.

[[{"fid":"11266","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":557,"width":825,"style":"width: 600px; height: 405px;","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]

THE WINE: Grans Muralles 2011

The Torres Family owns 32 hectares of vineyards nestled around the age-old Cistercian wall, which shelters the varieties that bring the Grans Muralles blend to life.

Ever since Querol joined the blend three vintages ago, Grans Muralles has gained complexity and cellaring potential. The natural elegance of the original blend embraces Querol's nerve and fruit concentration, which get along beautifully with the Mediterranean spirit of Monastrell, Garnacha, Garró and Samsó.

Querol has contributed its excellent qualities to Grans Muralles 2009, 2010 and 2011: freshness, a good midpalate, and excellent acidity that gives the wine its exceptional aging potential.

[[{"fid":"11267","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","link_text":null,"attributes":{"height":626,"width":885,"style":"width: 600px; height: 424px;","class":"media-element file-default"}}]]

Grans Muralles vineyard, D.O. Conca de Barberà

Tasting Note:

  • In terms of appearance, the wine displays a beautiful dark cherry color with an ochre shimmer that hints at the 18 months it spent in French oak.

  • Exuberant and sensuous on the nose, but complex and mature too: notes of dried fruit and jam, pleasant aromas reminiscent of spices (pepper and clove), Mediterranean herbs like bay leaf and thyme, and a surprisingly exotic nuance that melds aromas of toast, smoke, vanilla and incense.

  • Big and wonderfully long on the palate. Mouthfilling, with pronounced, but sweet tannins. Echoes of aromatic herbs, resin (incense) and spices (clove) (re)appear on the midpalate and linger well into the long finish that vividly recalls everything that came before.


Grans Muralles embodies an allegory of the culture and history of wine and the vineyard. These echoes of the past and its traditions endure in every intention and endeavor, in every winery, bottle and glass. Wine is once again the vehicle for transmitting culture, knowledge and a historical legacy of immense value.