La Caldereta 2023 Brut Nature

An absolute stroke of genius—and the wine that brought Laia and Jaume back to their homeland! Here we have pure Xarel·lo from a single, very special plot, a far cry from run-of-the-mill mass-produced cava. La Caldereta is located near Sant Sadurní d’Anoia at an elevation of 177 meters—a small, south-facing hill covering 1.5 hectares. The vines were planted in 1963, are trained in the traditional bush style, and are rooted in calcareous soils with clay, which lend the wine both tremendous complexity and depth. Since 2020, the two have been cultivating the Poch family’s vineyard organically and according to Mediterranean tradition, and it was clear from day one: this wine must stand on its own. After the hand-harvest on August 20, 2023, the whole grapes are gently pressed; only the finest free-run juice—up to 40% of the yield—is used, while another 20% goes into the Els Talls. Secondary fermentation in the bottle is initiated with fresh must from 2024, and the wine is bottled as Brut Nature. On the nose, a simply fascinating sensory experience awaits: even upon first inhaling, a delicate brioche note combined with flinty reduction enchants the senses. The palate ultimately reveals the full potential of this old vineyard—powerful and with a creamy texture that never feels heavy. A captivating minerality lends structure and complexity, and the perlage is ultra-fine. The way Casajou balances the tension between power and elegance is truly impressive.