Few remain like Mestres. Do you recall any cava house that continues to produce as they always have and maintains long ageing periods? Hardly. But if anyone deserves to carry and proudly display this badge, it is undoubtedly them. No matter how young, none of their bottles are released to the market before several years of ageing. The youngest in the collection—Mestres Coquet Gran Reserva Brut Nature—rests for 42 months!
If you are not a big fan of sparkling wine, or if you are just beginning to explore this effervescent world, Mestres Coquet Gran Reserva Brut Nature is the best way to start. We warn you that starting here sets the bar very high. If this is going to be your benchmark for comparison, we already tell you that very few will match the quality of Mestres Coquet Gran Reserva Brut Nature, which continues to be crafted entirely by hand. This translates to double fermentations (the second one in bottles), following the champenoise method. This involves creating a base wine that is bottled and undergoes a second fermentation within the confines of the glass, resulting in the unmistakable and characteristic bubbles of this drink. In the case of Mestres Coquet Gran Reserva Brut Nature, the first fermentation—with which the base wine is obtained—is carried out in stainless steel tanks, continuing this fascinating journey in the dark cellars, where Mestres Coquet Gran Reserva Brut Nature will remain for more than four years on its lees, supervised by the house experts who will be responsible for rotating the bottles to ensure that all the wine has been in contact with the lees. This operation is known as riddling and is fundamental in the production of sparkling wine. Undoubtedly, a true exercise in patience. Similarly, in this second bottling, Mestres uses cork stoppers, achieving a much-desired micro-oxygenation with this material.
However, this art of waiting begins long before the cellar, in the field, when the team at Mestres wineries awaits the ideal moment to harvest. The xarel·lo, the macabeo, and the parellada must be at their optimal ripeness, achieving the best version of this typical Penedès blend (there is nothing more typical). Regarding the soil, if something stands out in this area of southwestern Catalonia, it is its mixture and diversity. In the case of Mestres Coquet Gran Reserva Brut Nature, the grapes grow in the central area, near Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, between 200 and 225 metres above sea level, being fully influenced by the local Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and very dry summers, forcing the vineyards to extend their roots in search of water in the deeper layers.
If you want to test your patience, exercise it with Mestres Coquet Gran Reserva Brut Nature. We already warn you that the wait will be worth it.