One of the great spots in Cava, Mestres is a house with a really long history. Roughly three years back I visited the Cava region for the first time and was very glad that I did. Exports from Cava that we experience in the United States are nowhere near the consistent quality of the wines that I experienced while I was in Catalonia.
One of the oldest houses in Cava, The Mestres family dates back to 1312 as a wine negotiant and they have owned vineyards in Sant Sadurni d’Anoia since at least 1607. Many years later in 1925 Josep Mestres Manobens made his first sparkling wine by blending indigenous varietals Macabeu, Xarel-lo, and Parellada. Joan Aura serves as cellar master winemaker. They source from their 74 acre estate, which is divided into two plots: Clos Damiana and Clos Nostre Senyor as well as some area vineyards. Their vineyard is set on calcareous clay soils.
Having visited this winery it is set in a storybook setting in the small town of Sadurni d’Antonia, which is roughly an hour from Barcelona via train. The region is quite mountainous and it has a very different climate to Barcelona having a considerably lower maritime influence. Mestres give their sparkling wines extended time (18 months to 7 years) on the lees in bottle, which contributes to the complexity of the wines. During our cellar tour we had a chance to see some of their wines that have date back fifty years. Like many of Spain’s most celebrated houses, Mestres prides themselves at aging their wines and releasing them when they find them ready. We were able to see the disgorgement process as well as some bottling while we were there and I was amazed at the attention to detail as the cellar master inspects each individual bottle, regardless of price. They are truly a storied house in sparkling wine.
I love their new ‘Reserva’ bottling, the NV Mestres ‘1312’ Rose Cava (OB, 91) is fresh and vibrant Rose with lovely earthy tones. I loved the with their 2013 Mestres ‘Visol Gran Reserva Brut Nature’ Cava (OB, 93) which is already nicely evolved from this outstanding vintage. This beauty has another decade or more to go. Learn more about this storied winery at http://www.mestres.es/?lang=en Here are the great new wines by Cava Mestres.
2018 Mestres ‘1312 Reserva’ Rose Cava- This beautiful bottling blends Trepat, Pinot Noir and Monastrell. The soft mousse upon the attack entices as layers of pretty guava and red cherry fruits combine with orange zest and hints of nectarine with earthy and stony undercurrents. Enjoy over the next several years. Drink 2021-2026- 91
2013 Mestres ‘Visol Gran Reserva’ Cava- Taken from a very good vintage in Cava the 2013 ‘Visol’ combines 40% Xarel-lo with 35% Macabeo and the remainder Parellada from vines over 50 years of age.The silky mousse impresses upon entry as layers of nectarine, salted Macadamia nut, baking spice dusted pear and lemon zest infused toasty brioche all come together marvelously on the palate. Refined and elegant, this is drinking marvelously right now and has another decade to go. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2009 Mestres ‘Clos Nostre Senyor Gran Reserva’ Cava- Taken from what was a very warm vintage, the. 2009 ‘Clos Nostre Senyor’ is a blend of old vine 60% Xarel-lo (60%), Macabeo (20%) and Parellada (20%).Showing off its deep hue in the glass, the Cava shows off beautifully nutty tones on the nose with layers of ripe pear and white peach, with white florals rounding out this exquisite bouquet. Full-bodied and intense, with an oily texture, this rich yet tension-driven Cava finishes exceedingly long, with gobs of mouth-watering acidity and a light dusting of salinity. This is already beautifully evolved at the twelve year mark and enjoy this exceptional wine over the next decade. Drink 2021-2031- 95