A historic spot in Cava, Mestres is a house with an incredible history. A few years ago I embarked on a trip to Cava for the first time. What we currently think of Cava in the United States is an antiquated point of view, based on inexpensive wines that are mainly imported to our country. Top Cava is nothing short of world-class wine.
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. While visiting I was able to view 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 2019 Mestres ‘1312’ Rose Cava (OB, 92) is bright and lively with a pretty red fruit core. I loved the with their 2017 Mestres ‘Coquet Gran Reserva Brut Nature’ Cava (OB, 93) which has a wonderful mousse and silky mouthfeel, with plenty of nutty accents. Learn more about this storied winery at http://www.mestres.es/?lang=en Here are the great new wines by Cava Mestres.
2019 Cava Mestres ‘1312’ Reserva- A gorgeous blend of 30% Macabeu, 30% Xarel.lo and 40% Parellada, the ‘1312 Reserva’ offers salted Macadamia nut, white peach and green apple tones that all take shape in the glass. The silky and refined mousse really impresses, as this shows a great combination of weight, tension and length. Drink 2022-2020- 91
2019 Cava Mestres ‘1312’ Rose Reserva- The very pale-cured 2019 Cava Mestres ‘1312’ Rose Reserva blends 50% Trepat with 30% Monastrell, and 20% Pinot Noir. Aged for 2.5 years on the less prior to disgorgement in May 2022, this was given 6G/L dosage. Salmonberry and white tea tones combine with pink grapefruit blossom and wild mushroom on the nose. Very fresh and astringent, with tart red berries at the core, this is complex, delicious ‘Reserva’ that will be best consumed over the next ten years. Drink 2022-2030- 92
2017 Cava Mestres ‘Coquet Gran Reserva’ Cava- The 2017 Cava Mestres ‘Coquet Gran Reserva’ Cava is a compelling blend of 30% Macabeu, 30% Xarel.lo and 40% Parellada which is named after the first vineyard Mestres bought in 1607. Aged on the lees for 3.5 years before disgorgement in October 2021, this offers nutty tones on the nose with peat moss and Gravenstein apple accents. The palate is very fresh with gobs of mouth-watering acidity. Delicious to consume now, this is beautifully-textured, refined Cava that is beautiful to consume now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2022-2037- 93