BELLATERRA

The inspiration for Bellaterra 2015 (DO Penedès) is the love and dedication we feel for our homeland and our firm belief in a particular variety – Merlot, the star of this young organic varietal with a classic soul.

Merlot

Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of the variety that gives us Bellaterra. The variety's capacity for reinvention has secured its place in the pantheon of exceptional wines, vineyards and wineries.

  • Other names: Bégney, Crabutet, Merlau, Sémillon Rouge.

  • The vine: The Merlot vine is very fertile, producing small, loose clusters with dark blue berries. Merlot ripens earlier than many other red varieties, making it very susceptible to the dreaded springtime frost.

  • Origin: The variety originated in the Libourne region, close to Bordeaux, where it was known as Merlau. Some say the name derives from the fact that blackbirds (merle in French) are very fond of its fruit.

  • Where does it grow? Merlot can adapt to a variety of winegrowing regions, but requires a moderately warm climate. Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion and Pomerol in France; Penedès, Ribera del Duero, Somontano and Navarra in Spain; areas in Italy, California, Australia, Argentina and Chile.

  • The perfect symbiosis. Merlot joins Cabernet Sauvignon in a blend so famous, it has its own name: Bordeaux. The pair form a perfect alliance: Merlot, with its higher alcohol content, adds smoothness and body, whereas Cabernet brings tannins and acidity to the mix.

  • The wines: The finest varietals are big, full-bodied reds. Deep blue in color with hints of violet, Merlot offers different flavors depending on its climate of origin. In warmer climates, the flavors are predominantly black fruit (black cherry, plum) and, in certain overripe cases, reminiscent of chocolate and fruit cake. In cooler climates, Merlot displays elegance, smooth tannins, higher acidity, and the flavor focus shifts to red fruit (red berries, strawberries). What is interesting about the aging of Merlot is how it acquires complexity in both barrel and bottle.

Bellaterra 2015, the wine

Bellaterra is a certified organic wine from the upper Penedès made from Merlot vines that are ten to twenty-five years old. The vines thrive in clay soils similar to those that produce Bordeaux's Pomerol wines.

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In making the wine, we decided on a younger style, less concentrated and more versatile, where the fruit really gets to shine.

“The Penedès is a truly beautiful land, linked to our family history for over 300 years. We wanted the wine to genuinely express what this region can offer, reflect our respect for the land, and pay tribute to the winegrowers who produce these splendid grapes.”

The Torres Family

Making Bellaterra

The winemaking goal was to preserve the grapes' aromatic intensity through nine days of maceration and fermentation at 20ºC. The wine then ages for six months in French oak barrels.

Tasting Bellaterra

A beautiful shade of dark cherry red, Bellaterra offers a wealth of fruit aromas with notable black cherry and warm jammy blueberry enveloping a subtle balsamic note.

Big and exquisitely elegant, with a backbone of ripe, smooth tannins, the wine leaves a bitter fragrant trace reminiscent of cocoa as it unfolds across the palate.

Bellaterra, a Merlot that exemplifies a land inextricably linked to vine and wine, a land reflected in the ode gracing the label:

“Bold borderland, daughter of mountain and sea, your voice is the vine, and wine, your soul.”

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