Juvé & Camps, Cava (Catalonia, Spain) 2012

Among the very best renditions of Cava you’ll find in the USA, this shows bright yellow gold color with glints of gold.  The aromas are complex but subtle, with good integration and none of the bilious yeast notes that often prove overwhelming in prestige level sparkling wines.  Effervescence is extremely delicate, contributing to a sense of creaminess in the wine’s texture, which is also enhanced by malolactic fermentation (which doesn’t affect total acidity much, as there’s very little malic acid in grapes grown in this warm climate, but does impart a faint creaminess and even a hint of vanilla–thought there’s no oak involved at any stage in the elevage).  Flavors recall baked apple with citrus edging, and low dosage of 7 grams per liter provides just a hint of generosity but still a dry, classy profile.  You may have difficulty springing for this at the cash register after walking past the Champagne section in your retail shop, but you will not be disappointed once you taste the wine.  A blend of 40% Xarel-lo, 25% Macabeo, 25% Chardonnay and 10% Parellada.  Believe it.