Heretat Mestres

The Mestres family have been winegrowers in Penedes since 1312, producing the first Champagne method sparkling wine, over a century ago, in 1928. In complete contrast to the insipidly neutral qualities, of the mass-produced Cava that has flooded the markets over the last decades, these Gran Reserva wines of Mestres, offer truly amazing vinous complexity. They were also pioneers in producing the first Cava without adding sugar after disgorging (Brut Nature 1945) and at the forefront of using barrels for the first fermentation. The family cultivate 40 hectares of vines and the cellars are located in the bowels of an old Gothic palace, set in the same square as Sant Sadurní d'Anoia Town Hall. Everything here is done with the upmost patience, care and following the most natural and traditional production processes in the region. Produced from low yields, the grapes are selected exclusively from native varieties (Parellada, Xarel·lo and Macabeo), from old vines of 40 - 80 years of age. The wines are aged in chestnut casks for 10 months prior to bottling and everything from the harvest to the remuage, is performed by hand, with meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of production. Mestres specialise in Gran Reserva Cava wines and what really sets these wines apart of course, is the length of time they remain 'sur latte', from 42 months for the first cuvee, to 210 months plus. It is the quality of the base wine, and this extended ageing, which give the wines such extraordinary complexity, minerality and depth.

It is wonderful to see that people are finally starting to give the wines from this incredible house, the attention they deserve. Luís Gutiérrez, of the Wine Advocate, recently wrote ‘I tried an incredible magnum of Mas Via 2000 from Mestres that was aged with lees for 225 months (that’s over 18 years!). Complex and nuanced, it had intense curry aromas that made it really attractive, and the wine has maintained its freshness and harmony, with very small and integrated bubbles. It is surely among the best Cavas, with great freshness and absence of oxidative notes. The palate is elegant, with marked aromas, great harmony, freshness, and length. Woohoo!’.