Raventos i Blanc - De la Finca Gran Reserva 2014
Pairing Suggestions
The famous biodynamic sparkling wine producer Raventos i Blanc is located about 50 km West of Barcelona in the heart of the Penedès wine region of Catalonia.
The Raventós i Blanc Estate, is composed by 90 hectares of vineyards, woodland and a lake. The Mediterranean climate, the microclimate of the estate ,100% native grape varieties, the soils and a very respectful viticulture makes it possible to produce high level mineral sparkling wines. One of the top sparkling wines of Raventos i Blanc is called De la Finca Gran Reserva 2014 (89 tsomw points)
Grape varieties: Macabeu, Xarel·lo and Parellada
A very nice bubble which spend a long time in the cellars with a very elegant and soft mousse. This sparkling wine has the same process as Champagne has.
In the glass a nice golden yellow color.
On the nose delicate and wide aromas of toast, white fruit, flowers, apple, herbs and roasted hazelnuts.
On the palate layered and complex with rich mouthfeel, fine mousse and nice acidity showing aromas of brioche, flowers, citrus, vanilla and spiciness.
The finish is long with mango, hazelnut and spices.
Website winery: www.raventos.com
Winemaker notes:
De la Finca sparkling wine is made with grapes from our oldest vines, planted using the gobelet system in 1964 in the Vinya dels Fòssils.
The 2014 vintage started with a very hot autumn that lengthened the vines' energy reserve period. The rains replenished the soil's water reserve. The winter was dry and very warm, which led to the vines budding early. The spring, with the vegetative development, was very warm and dry. A vegetative cycle with very little water led to a greater concentration in the grapes and loss of production. Occasional rains in July and at the start of August helped the grapes to ripen well. Our harvest was not very productive and was of high quality with a high level of acidity for our sparkling wines. During the agricultural year we had low rainfall (421 l/m2) and warm temperatures with an average of 15.8ºC.
Situated on the highest terraces of the River Anoia, the Vinya dels Fòssils vineyard has marine soils with a high fossil content. This characterises the structure and the soil composition of this vineyard. The carbonates are the component that provides the main source of typicity to this sparkling wine with a high saline expression. It is a sparkling wine with a unique identity and personality.
The plants on the Vinya dels Fòssils vineyard come from the massal selection performed by Manuel Raventós Domènech in 1888. Creator of the Penedès sparkling wine formula by combining the three native grape varieties, Macabeu, Xarel·lo and Parellada, Manuel Raventós also experimented by planting small separate plots. He took cuttings from the vines that produced the best grapes and used them to create new plantations.