Cava Mestres
One of the famed houses in Cava, Mestres is a house that dates all the way back to 1312. As I have said many times, top Cava can rival any sparkling wine in the world. It is a wine all its own and most of the United States does not have the opportunity to taste premier Cava bottlings. The Mestres family dates back the early fourteenth century as a wine negotiants. They have also owned estate 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 currently 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. This winery is a must visit. The Cava town of Sadurni d’Antonia is a charming setting roughly one hour from Barcelona. 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. Do not miss on the killer value at around 20 dollars, the 2020 Mestres ‘1312’ Rose Cava (OB, 92) which is sinfully good for the price with bright red fruits and citrus tones. Learn more about this storied winery at http://www.mestres.es/?lang=en Here are the great new wine by Cava Mestres.
2020 Cava Mestres ‘1312 Rose’ Cava- A gorgeous blend of mostly Treppat (50%) with the remainder Monastrell and Pinot Noir, the ‘1311 Rose’ was disgorged in May 2022. This outstanding wine was aged for 2.5 years on the less and was given 6G/L dosage. Dusty soil aromas combine with shades of crushed seashell, orange rind and suggestions of ripe red raspberry all fill the nose. The palate is very fresh and fragrant with a soft mousse. Layers of wild mushroom are woven together with juicy red fruits, with shades of menthol and salty soils on the palate. Complex and delicious now, this will easily cellar for another eight years. Drink 2023-2031- 92