This beautiful cava is made by the Cruz del Castillo family winery in Rioja. The winery grew to prominence with its beautiful classic Rioja wines, which they still produce today. But their love for Spanish winemaking extended beyond the Rioja region. They recently purchased a vineyard in the Penedès region, a region better known for its cavas. Winemaker Franseco Jr., the fifth generation of the family, also wanted to create a sparkling wine. With inspiration and expertise, he purchased the vineyards and got to work. It's safe to say he's a natural talent, and this Vina Xalbador Cava Brut boasts such power and refinement. While he learned from his father, the cava production is entirely his own.
The harvest for the Vina Xalbador Cava
The vineyards in Penedès are in excellent condition. They are filled with the Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel lo grapes that complement each other perfectly in this Cava. The living climate is somewhat cooler because the vineyards are situated a bit higher, this ensures plenty of cooling during the growing season and we taste this in the fresh taste. The grapes are given all the time to grow evenly, when the harvest is ripe all the bunches are gathered by hand and during harvest a strict selection is made. Only the best bunches nourish this cava.
Wonderfully soft and ripe this Vina Xalbador Cava
It's a joy to drink, and we quickly pop the Champagne cork. With a pop, the cork pops from the bottle, instantly releasing a powerful aroma of citrus fruit with a delicate swarm of apple. As we pour, we see a golden yellow color with soft, delicate bubbles. Beautiful aromas leap from the glass, bringing to mind impressions of ripe white fruit, a touch of citrus, and of course, hints of vanilla and honey. The palate is very lively and leaves a pleasant sensation on the tongue. Beautiful flavors of grapefruit, red apple, and lime are complemented by subtle herbs like mint. The refreshing finish completes the picture and gives this Vina Xalbador Cava Brut a contemporary character.
