904. Torres, Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon Penedès, 2009

£33.16; 14.5%

My first experience of Torres’ top wine, and the quality came through. Stylistically, some old world minerality, but with plushness, ripeness and body of a warm climate Cabernet. Deep ruby with a hint of rim garnet. Baked clay and mocha-laced fruit. Lots of overt vanilla and toasted coconut oak – but it’s 18 months in new French oak, not American. Baked red and black fruit beneath. Ripe blackberry compote, medium-full body. Clay-earth and toasty oak mid-palate. Some juiciness of acidity to the fruit, and moderately firm, chalky tannins. Long.