Description
‘Cava de Paraje Calificado’ is Spain’s newest, and most premium classification for Cava. To date, only 12 Cavas from 9 producers have qualified. Vines must be at least 10 years old, with lower yields, and all wines must be brut, extra brut or brut nature, and bottle-aged on the lees for at least 36 months. There is also a requisite for full traceability, meaning all CPC vineyards must be owned or contracted on a long-term basis by the wineries. If all of these criteria are met, the wines are then tasted blind by a panel made up of a majority of ‘outsiders’ – wine judges and experts who aren’t Cava produers themselves. Winemakers also have to explain to the judging panel what makes their vineyard a unique terroir. A step up the quality ladder from our other two Laieta Cavas. A blend of Chardonnay and Pansa Blanca, like the Brut Reserva, however here the wine has spent 36 months on the lees and the Chardonnay component was fermented in French oak. The result is a more complex wine with Champagne-esque biscuit and yeasty flavours. The wine spend a minimum of 36 months bottle aging and disgorgement is done only upon orders being received. One should never judge a wine by it’s packaging, however in this case one can’t help but note how striking the bottle is in black and gold.
60% Chardonnay, 40% Pansa Blanca
94 Points – Guia Penin 2024
93 Points – Wine Enthusiast 2023
92 Points – James Suckling
90 Points – Decanter 2023
