Bodegas Naveran Cava Brut Reserva Blanc de Blanc
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Robert
Parker
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Tasting notes: Naveran Brut Reserva is medium dry, fresh, smooth, and crisp, with an enjoyble long finish.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
A blend of 50% Xarello, 30% Macabeo, and 20% Parellada, the non-vintage Cava Brut Reserva Blanc de Blancs (a term which obviously has a different connotation in Spain as in France it would have to be made from 100% Chardonnay) is a crisp, chalky sparkler that should drink well for 1-2 years.
Bodegas Naveran is a premium Cava producer that uses estate-grown organic grapes. The Naveran family legacy began in 1901 and today, their estate owns 110 hectares (272 acres) of vines in the town of Torrelavit located in the Alt (high) Penedès subregion in northeastern Spain. Despite the fact that Cava is Spain’s largest volume wine export to the U.S., Cavas are made utilizing the same methods used in Champagne and have remained Spain’s best-kept secret for quality and value in wine. Unlike the majority of the big Cava houses that purchase most of their grapes, Naveran makes handcrafted Cavas from their own vineyards.
Proprietor Michel Gilleron Parellada's goal with this Cava is to show the purity, youth and bright flavor characters of this special place. Xarello (10%) and Chardonnay (20%) contribute body, Macabeo (40%) gives aromatic intensity and Parellada (30%) lends acidity to the wine. The organically grown (non-certified) vines were planted between the course of 1970 to 1995 and the soil is tended in clay and limestone soil at 252 m (827 ft) elevation. The Naveran estate's higher elevation allows the grapes to retain more natural acidity, which results in wines that are zesty, fresh and have expressive aromas. Naveran Brut Nature spends 18 months on lees after fermentation in the bottle to achieve greater depth, complexity, and long-lasting bubbles.
What makes this wine unique? Bodegas Naveran is 100% estate-owned and their vineyards are organically grown for higher quality control. Also, old vines result in smaller yields which increase concentration and grape quality. This winery also has its very own bottling production for all of their vintage cavas. Did you know 85% of the cavas made by Naveran are sold in France, the birthplace and home of Champagne?
A term typically reserved for Champagne and Sparkling Wines, non-vintage or simply “NV” on a label indicates a blend of finished wines from different vintages (years of harvest). To make non-vintage Champagne, typically the current year’s harvest (in other words, the current vintage) forms the base of the blend. Finished wines from previous years, called “vins de reserve” are blended in at approximately 10-50% of the total volume in order to achieve the flavor, complexity, body and acidity for the desired house style. A tiny proportion of Champagnes are made from a single vintage.
There are also some very large production still wines that may not claim one particular vintage. This would be at the discretion of the winemaker’s goals for character of the final wine.
Known for bold reds, crisp whites, easy-drinking rosés, distinctive sparkling, and fortified wines, Spain has embraced international varieties and wine styles while continuing to place primary emphasis on its own native grapes. Though the country’s climate is diverse, it is generally hot and dry. In the center of the country lies a vast, arid plateau known as the Meseta Central, characterized by extremely hot summers and frequent drought.
Rioja is Spain’s best-known region, where earthy, age-worthy Spanish reds are made from Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache). Rioja also produces rich, nutty whites from the local Viura grape.
Ribera del Duero is gaining ground for Spanish wines with its single varietal Tempranillo wines, recognized for their concentration of fruit and opulence. Priorat, a sub-region of Catalonia, specializes in bold, full-bodied Spanish red wine blends of Garnacha (Grenache), Cariñena (Carignan), and often Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Catalonia is also home to Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine made in the traditional method but from indigenous varieties. In the cool, damp northwest Spanish wine region of Galicia, refreshing Spanish white Albariño and Verdejo dominate.
Sherry, Spain’s famous fortified wine, is produced in a wide range of styles from dry to lusciously sweet at the country’s southern tip in Jerez.