The varietal Sauvignon Blanc 2018 Fransola has notes of gooseberries and herbs, reflective of the variety. However, the palate feels quite weak, with moderate acidity and low to medium concentration that makes it feel quite mainstream. 64,000 bottles. It was bottled in May 2019.

The now-pure Sauvignon Blanc 2016 Fransola, does not contain any Parellada anymore (it used to have some 10%), but it might have some Forcada in future vintages. It was selected to be produced from a higher altitude zone within Penedès to keep the freshness in the wine. It fermented in stainless steel and part in barrel and had an élevage of eight months in 50% new French and American oak barrels. It has notes of peach and apricot that reminded me more of a Viognier, with a notable absence of herbal notes. The palate has some more varietal flavors, citrus, with a faint bitterness in the finish, nicely balanced and fresh. It's a vibrant and balanced vintage. Some 78,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in May 2017.

The Parerrada grapes seem to have disappeared from the 2014 Fransola, which is now pure Sauvignon Blanc and a textbook example of it with classical tomato vine, boxwood and cat pee aromas. The palate has piercing, focused and clean flavors and a nice mouthfeel, ending dry. 61,770 bottles.

An unusual blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Parellada, the 2013 Fransola shows quite an influence of the Sauvignon from a cool vintage with pungent herbaceous aromas and faint spices from the oak. The palate is light and tasty with good acidity and the telltale gooseberry flavors. Its grassy and shows a lot less oaky than other vintages, with better balance.

The 2012 Fransola is an oak-aged Sauvignon Blanc and Parellada from a high-altitude vineyard in Penedes in Aiguaviva at some 600 meters altitude. Despite being quite woody at first it has good freshness, with grassy, herbaceous notes and a fresh palate mixing citric, tropical and herbal flavors, with very good acidity and a persistent fresh and elegant finish. Drink now-2016. If there is a name that needs no introduction from the Spanish wine scene, it is Torres. They produce wines from different appellations (and countries!) but Penedes is their home. Their wines are always reliable and a safe option in restaurants. Importer: Dreyfus Ashby & Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770, www.dreyfusahby.com