Last week Jot Camp, of Spain’s iconic sparkling wine house- Raventos, stopped in for a quick tasting. Put your Grower Champagnes aside, these are some serious Cava that belong in your glass. He tasted us on a spectacular flight of Cava comparing vintages 2011, 2012 and 2013. All of the vineyards are farmed biodynamically and everything is done by horses and hands. The two standouts had completely different tones: 2012 Conca del Riu Anoia L’Hereu and the 2011 Cava Gran Reserva de la Finca. The 2012 l’Hereu was bright, fresh and aromatic! It spends 18 months on its lees and the flavors are simply splendid: green and yellow apples, crunchy minerals, sweet lemons and jasmine. This is a perfect sparkler for summer. The 2011 Gran Reserva de la Finca ($34.95/btl!!) comes from 40-50 year old vines planted in higher plots in sand and this was the star of the flight! Crazy minerals zipped through the palate while tiny beads coated the mouth, each packed with abundant flavors from warm brioche to ripe melon, honey and seasoned nuts. The finish is ridiculously long, flinty and haunting. We were really impressed with these fascinating sparklers and I know anyone trying them would be too! The Gran Reserva de la Finca is a great Grower Champagne alternative for fractions less!
Jot Camps of Raventos i Blanc
My wines of the week were two Northern Rhone stars: 1996 Guigal Chateau d’Ampuis Cote Rotie and 1997 Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie. Awesome!!! Both were at a perfect stage: absolutely seamless. The fruit was lively and fresh in the ’96 Guigal Chateau d’Ampuis with elegant layers of leather, dried violets, dried herbs and star anise.
The 1997 Rene Rostaing Cote Rotie was stunning! While the ’96 Guigal Ampuis Cote Rotie was like drinking silk, the ’97 R. Rostaing Cote Rotie was rich and velvety. Gorgeously preserved wild black berries, crushed mulberries, dark minerals and dense spice. A true beauty in the glass.
Other smoking bottles opened last week
2010 Lignier Michelot Morey St Denis 1er Cru Aux Charmes
2010 Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf du Pape
2002 Pol Roger Champagne Rose
NV Jacquesson Cuvee #730 Brut- best bottle of Jacquesson opened yet!
2002 Jean Boillot & Fils Volnay Les Caillerets
2000 Smith Haut Lafitte- Stunning!!
1997 Clarendon Hills Astralis- Alive and Smoking!
2008 Verite La Joie- BOOM! A Real Treat!
2010 Realm Farella Vineyard
2006 Harris Estate Jake’s Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon- My next new favorite Napa find!