Sangre de Toro Abocado 1964

Wine: Sangre de Toro Abocado 1964

Winery: Miguel Torres
Appellation: Catalonia (Vilafranca del Penedès)
Varietals: Garnacha, Cariñena
ABV: [Not specified]

Winemaking
The wine underwent a minimum aging period of 4 years in large oak tuns (tinas). It was bottled in 1969.

 

Tasting Notes (2013-01-02)
Tasting for the New Year's Session of "Els 12 Golafres": Fortified and Sweet Wines of the 50s and 60s.

 

Appearance: It does not look like a 1964 vintage... "Parkerized" in appearance! Deep, dark cherry color, opaque, brilliant, and clean. No sediment present. It shows garnet and reddish highlights with an iodized rim; it stains the glass. 

 

Nose: Reductive on the nose, yet free of off-odors. Notes of seasoned wood, wine-soaked staves, and a traditional stone winery emerge, alongside subtle vegetal and balsamic hints. After aeration, it exudes overripe fruit (plums, dates, Turkish figs, raisins) wrapped in a "half-lit barbecue" atmosphere—charred calçots (grilled spring onions) and scorched oak.

 

Palate: Surprising on the palate. The initial sensation is one of medium-sweetness (abocado), with a creamy and slightly grainy texture, loaded with sweetish and woody tannins. As it moves across the palate, it reveals bitter and toasted notes, supported by high acidity. It remains very much alive. Long, sweetish, and toasted finish; persistent. A sweet red of great personality that bears no resemblance to any modern wine. Distinctive.

 

Personal Score: 91
Tasting Group Score: 90

Tasting Notes (2013-02-04)

 

Nose: Similar impressions to the first tasting. A sweet red that, on the nose, sits halfway between an aged Tawny Port (spices, nuts, Turkish figs, dates) and a well-aged Maury Hors d'âge. It possesses a fully Mediterranean character, with plenty of raisined fruit, aromatic herbs, and a subtle, high-quality rancio oxidation in the background.

 

Palate: A spark of alcohol emerges on the palate—warm and creamy. Slightly off-dry (abocado) and toasted, showing significant tannins and strong acidity. There are notes of dried fruits, citrus peel, and raisins. It is hard to fathom why wines of this caliber are no longer being produced.

 

Personal Score: 92
Tasting Group Score: 90