L’Alzinar Brut Nature Reserva 2022

Wine Description for L’Alzinar Brut Nature Reserva 2022 by Vins El Cep

Colour & Appearance

Luminous pale yellow with bright, greenish reflections and very uniform mousse of medium grain – a visually striking example of classic Cava.

Nose

Powerful and uncompromising reductive character. A pronounced maritime aromatics of oyster shell, sea spray and ocean breeze dominates the first impression. Beneath this unfolds a multi-layered herbal spectrum: dried wild herbs, hay, lemon thyme, lemon balm and mint. Salty dough notes and freshly chopped almonds complement the elegant, restrained fruit of grapefruit, nashi pear and white peach.

Palate

Here reveals the true character of an uncompromising Brut Nature: expressive, austere, precise. Lean and racy in structure, with clear mineral, chalky, almost creamy texture. Completely dry, without any fruit focus. The extended lees ageing imparts tension and depth without creating breadth. Spicy, pithy notes of artichoke, fennel herb and coriander seeds come to the fore, carried by a fresh, ethereal breeze. The salty, mineral framework brings a fine bitter tone – stimulating and appetite-awakening.

Finish

Long, salty, mineral with lingering chalky texture and spicy herbal spice. The maritime freshness remains present through to the end.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from various parcels, some planted as far back as 1958. The extremely dry 2022 vintage – a record year with the earliest harvest ever – resulted in 25% yield loss, but concentrated quality.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Classic Cava blend of 50% Xarel·lo and 25% each of Macabeo and Parellada. Fermentation of the base wine in steel tank, followed by at least 30 months of lees ageing after the second fermentation – considerably longer than the minimum requirement for Reserva.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Made for raw oysters, sea urchin, ceviche or scallop carpaccio. Also excellent with grilled fennel, artichokes with vinaigrette or salt-baked sea bass.

Special Features

A prime example of modern, terroir-driven Cava – far removed from industrial mass production. The extreme dryness and early harvest of 2022 have produced a wine of extraordinary precision and tension. Excellent value for money in the entry-level segment.