A few years ago, I wondered if it was possible to craft a great Bordeaux-style wine in Catalonia. With this ambition in mind, during the months of May, June, and July of a now distant 2012, I traveled through the Pàndols Range and the Pre-Coastal Range with the goal of selecting the best plots of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to create the winery’s only Gran Reserva. It wasn’t just a simple experiment, but a quest to see if Mediterranean soils and climate could yield a long-aging wine with the solidity and complexity required for a 5-year maturation.
I searched for the highest and coolest plots, where the orography and north/northwest orientation allowed us to delay ripening and better preserve the grapes’ natural acidity. I prioritized old, low-yielding vines grown in poor, stony soils, capable of limiting production and concentrating the quality of the fruit. High-altitude vineyards influenced by the sea breeze (marinada), with sharp temperature contrasts between day and night. The combination of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, planted in these unique terroirs, was to be the solid foundation for crafting a wine destined to be a Gran Reserva.
«100 Barricas seeks inspiration from the great red wines of Médoc, in the Bordeaux region (France). An elegant, deep, and structured red wine; with firm tannins, aromas of blackberries, plums, and cedar, and a long aging potential.» — Marc Massana, head of the winery
At the winery, this process became even more selective and reflective. After fermentation and the initial aging in French and American oak, each barrel underwent a long period of tasting and analysis, comparing aromas, structure, and balance. I was looking for a wine with backbone but also elegance, capable of enduring and evolving in the bottle over the years. Out of hundreds of barrels, we selected only 100—those that showed the greatest aromatic complexity, a more refined texture, and evident aging potential. The choice was neither random nor rushed: it required patience and experience, the fruit of years of work. This meticulous process turned every bottle into a unique witness to time and the winery’s commitment to excellence.
The result is 100 Barricas, a wine that reflects the strength of the soil and the patience of time. It presents an exceptional aromatic intensity featuring ripe black fruits—blackberries and plums—accompanied by balsamic notes, sweet spices, and hints of fine wood. On the palate, it is deep and structured, with firm yet polished tannins and a vibrant acidity that provides freshness and longevity. The finish is long, complex, and elegant, with nuances of cocoa, coffee, and tobacco that round out the experience. A Gran Reserva conceived to age with elegance, but also to move you from the very first sip.
