The colour is pale straw, with fine, long-lasting bubbles. On the nose baked apples, dried apricots and lactic notes. In the mouth refreshing, with a medium long aftertaste.
This long-aging organic Cava is a blend of 45% Macabeu, 25% Xarel·lo and 30% Parellada grapes, all from over 30 years old vineyards.
This sparkling wine spent 6 years on the lees in the caves of Agustí Torelló Mata, a winery located in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, in the heart of the Penedés wine region.
This vintage Cava is categorised as Gran Réserva, which means that it spent more than 30 months aging in the bottle. Cava Réserva spends a minimum of 18 months, while for the regular Cava 9 months are enough. A Cava de Paraje Calificado indicates that it comes from a specially selected place and stays at least 36 months on the lees. Place and aging are not the only requisites. Currently just some ten Cavas have this highest recognition.
As it is generally the case with Cavas, beside the similarities in the production process, this Sparkling wine doesn’t have anything to do with a Champagne of similar sophistication. A fact that is well reflected in the price differential. In fact, I bought this bottle for 17.50 EUR at a supermarket in Gran Canaria, while on vacation.
Country: Spain
Region: Catalonia
Grapes: Macabeu, Xarel·lo, Parellada
Type: Sparkling
Vintage: 2014
Producer: Agustí Torelló Mata
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5