A historic spot in Cava, Mestres is a house with an incredible past. 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 2020 Mestres ‘1312’ Rose Cava (OB, 92) is super fresh and lively with great nuance I loved the with their 2018 Mestres ‘Coquet Gran Reserva Brut Nature’ Cava (OB, 93) which is wonderfully salty and shows good weight and length. Learn more about this storied winery at http://www.mestres.es/?lang=en Here are the great new wines by Cava Mestres.
2020 Cava Mestres ‘1312’ Rose Reserva- The outstanding 2020 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. Guava puree, kumquat zest, and suggestions of black truffle shavings all mark the nose. The palate shows plenty of body, finesse and mouth-watering salty undercurrents that combine with the very pretty core of red fruit flavors. Enjoy his beautiful wine now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 92
2018 Cava Mestres ‘Gran Reserva Coquet’ Cava- The 2018 Cava Mestres ‘Coquet Gran Reserva’ Cava is a beautiful wine that combines of 30% Macabeu, 30% Xarel.lo and 40% Parellada which is named after the first vineyard Mestres purchased all the way back in 1607. This Brut Nature was stored on the lees for 42 months before disgorgement in December 2022, this offers cashew nut flavors alongside green papaya, mango and shades of Pink Lady apple. Fresh and nicely textured, showing good weight, this is drinking marvelously now. Drink 2023-2037- 93
2016 Cava Mestres ‘Gran Reserva Visol’ Cava- The 2016 ‘Visol’ is a masterful effort made from Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada vines that are more than 50 years old. The base wine was stored on the lees for six months and then a further 50 months before disgorgement in December 2022. and lasts 50 months. Showing a rich, golden hue, the ‘Visol’ offers nutmeg dusted French bread, and salted Macadamia nut aromas alongside sandalwood and Japanese pear notes that all meld in the glass. The palate is rich and refined with serious texture and underlying verve. With the nutty and earthy tones, this is drinking marvelously now at the seven year mark. Drink 2023-2037- 95