Mas La Plana 2019, the flagship wine of Familia Torres from the DO Penedès, has been awarded a gold medal at the prestigious Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters competition. Organised by the renowned British publication The Drinks Business, this international contest evaluates wines made from the world’s most widely planted red grape variety, Cabernet Sauvignon. This accolade adds to the long list of recognitions for Mas La Plana, one of the most celebrated wines of the family winery, synonymous with quality, origin, and sustainability.
In the May issue of The Drinks Business, Siobhan Turner MW, a member of the judging panel, describes Mas La Plana 2019 as follows: "An icon for a reason. Fifty-year-old vines, regenerative practices in the vineyard, and winemaking that respects the terroir and expresses it masterfully come together to create a wonderful wine. Deep ruby in colour, the nose is floral, intense, and complex, with ripe blackberries, mace, clove, and a hint of graphite. On the palate, it is smooth and elegant, with warm but well-integrated alcohol and a fresh finish. Dense and delicious."
Located in the heart of the Penedès, the historic estate of the same name spans 29 hectares of vineyards cultivated using organic and regenerative practices, creating a natural ecosystem that restores soil fertility, promotes biodiversity, and helps combat global warming. The combination of clay soils interspersed with gravel and sand, along with a Mediterranean climate, creates the perfect environment for growing this variety. The vines, originally planted in the 1960s, have adapted perfectly to these conditions, achieving an ideal balance and producing grapes that capture the full potential of the terroir.
Since its creation in 1970, Mas La Plana has continued to evolve, reaching its peak expression today and establishing itself as a benchmark among the world’s great wines. The 2019 vintage was marked by low rainfall and above-average temperatures, allowing the grapes to be harvested at their optimal ripeness. The wine was aged for 18 months in French oak, partially new, combining the use of barrels and foudres, which gives the wine a complex and elegant profile while enhancing its fruity expression.
Mas La Plana is the result of the bold ambition of Miguel A. Torres, a member of the fourth generation of Familia Torres. In 1979, the wine’s first vintage, under the name Gran Coronas Etiqueta Negra, gained international recognition by defeating the world’s best Cabernets at the Gault & Millau Wine Olympics in Paris, securing its place among the elite. It was the wine that set Familia Torres on the path to producing prestigious wines from single vineyards. Today, considered the winery’s flagship wine, it is part of the Miguel Torres Anthology, an exclusive collection of Familia Torres’ most iconic wines, selected for their authentic expression of origin.
The Global Cabernet Sauvignon Masters, now in its 12th edition, aims to recognise and reward the best single-varietal Cabernet Sauvignon wines worldwide, classified by style and price. The participating wines are blind tasted by a panel of international experts, including Masters of Wine, Master Sommeliers, and senior buyers.
