Els Talls 2024 Brut Nature

A fascinating sparkling wine that, right from the start, shows where Casajou is headed! Here we are at the heart of the Penedès’s sophisticated winemaking craft, a far cry from industrially produced cava. The base is a cuvée made primarily from Xarel·lo and Garnatxa Negra from all six of the estate’s vineyards: Caldereta, Teixonera, Guillem, Lluny, Perdigot, and Pega. The vines, ranging from 20 to 80 years old, are rooted in clay and limestone soils mixed with fine sand, which lend the wine both tremendous minerality and complexity. Both grape varieties are fermented together and aged for twelve months in barrels. For the tirage, Laia and Jaume use sweet must from the new vintage; the second fermentation takes place in the bottle in the traditional manner. It is bottled as Brut Nature, unfiltered and with minimal sulfur addition. On the nose, the sensory experience is simply playful: from the very first sniff, cool fruit notes of green apple and peach enchant the senses, paired with white flowers, delicate brioche, and a pinch of pepper. On the palate, the wine finally reveals the full potential of its limestone-rich terroir. Surprisingly austere and salty, with a captivating minerality that lends structure and complexity. The spiciness here definitely comes from the soil, not the barrel. Add to that the finest bubbles, which provide an incredible burst of drinking pleasure. Casajou masterfully balances the tension between playful fruit and austere saltiness—truly impressive. We are thrilled by this sparkling wine!