Agustà Torelló – Kripta , High End Spanish Cava
Whoever thought that such a delicate and ethereal cava could have a name like KRIPTA, which for me at least brings to mind visions of tomb and crypts and things. It seems like it should be so spooky, ominous, foreboding – but it´s not in the least, and actually the name suits the wine in the same way that its unique amphora shaped bottle and Mediterranean inspired label do. This is after all a Mediterranean creation, jewel of the cava makers Agustà Torelló, located in the heart of cava country in Sant Sadurnà d Ãnoia, and 100% made out of the Spanish trio of cava grapes: Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo, from vines that are over 50 years old.
A brut nature, gran reserve cava, the 2001 vintage has been aged for 5 years, but yet its subtlety belies the heavy bakery and yeasty notes that you sometimes find in older cavas and champagnes. Straw-gold in color with fine and consistent bubbles, this cava is made by hand from start to finish, as the special bottle makes it impossible to manipulate by machine.
Most notable from the get-go is its crispness and refreshing character which later gives way to delicate notes of chocolate, cinnamon, toasted vanilla, cloves, creamy butter, and an undertone of minerals. Extremely persistent on the palate, silky and aromatic, and all in all delightful, unique and pleasing to the senses. If this is my crypt, then I must be in heaven.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Hi Adrienne:
You certainly made this Cava sound quite enticing. I have never had a higher end Cava before, mainly because nearly all of the wine stores that I shop at don't have any available. They are lucky to have 3 or 4 Cavas available, and generally in the $10-15 range. I will take a look for this Cava, though might have to order it somewhere. Thanks.
Richard
Hi Adrienne:
You certainly made this Cava sound quite enticing. I have never had a higher end Cava before, mainly because nearly all of the wine stores that I shop at don’t have any available. They are lucky to have 3 or 4 Cavas available, and generally in the $10-15 range. I will take a look for this Cava, though might have to order it somewhere. Thanks.
Richard
Hi Richard,
Well, of course one of the nicest things about cavas is how inexpensive they are relative to other similar wines (not mentioning any names), and I actually love the fact that cavas ingeneral cost around 10-15, but yes, this is one to try!
Thanks for the comment!
Hi Adrienne:
I also think that Cavas are more accessible than many Champagnes. I have found a number of people who do not care for the yeasty taste of Champagne, but enjoy the more fruity flavor of a Cava. I actually recommended a Cava to the owner of a local restaurant, as an alternative to Champagne, and now the Cava has become a standard at his restaurant. He even pairs the Cava on many of his wine dinners. It certainly helps that most Cavas are relatively inexpensive, and good values.
I was just thumbing through the new issue of Wine & Spirits magazine (June 2007) and they have a list of their 100 Top Values of the Year. In the Sparkling Wine category, there are only 4 listings, two of which are Cavas.
Seguras Viudas Cava Brut Aria Estate & Castillo Perelada Cava Brut Rosado.
Hi Richard,
Well, of course one of the nicest things about cavas is how inexpensive they are relative to other similar wines (not mentioning any names), and I actually love the fact that cavas ingeneral cost around 10-15, but yes, this is one to try!
Thanks for the comment!
Hi Adrienne:
I also think that Cavas are more accessible than many Champagnes. I have found a number of people who do not care for the yeasty taste of Champagne, but enjoy the more fruity flavor of a Cava. I actually recommended a Cava to the owner of a local restaurant, as an alternative to Champagne, and now the Cava has become a standard at his restaurant. He even pairs the Cava on many of his wine dinners. It certainly helps that most Cavas are relatively inexpensive, and good values.
I was just thumbing through the new issue of Wine & Spirits magazine (June 2007) and they have a list of their 100 Top Values of the Year. In the Sparkling Wine category, there are only 4 listings, two of which are Cavas.
Seguras Viudas Cava Brut Aria Estate & Castillo Perelada Cava Brut Rosado.
I want to know how that bottle stands up like that!
I want to know how that bottle stands up like that!
Love Kripta, also makes a good conversation thanks to the bottle.
Love Kripta, also makes a good conversation thanks to the bottle.