2015 Can Mayol Loxarel "Refugi" Reserva Brut Nature Classic Penedes

SKU #1388702 91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The sparkling Clàssic Penedès 2015 Refugi, a brut nature that is completely dry, is the first wine they produced after five generations growing grapes in a haven (refugi in Catalan) in the middle of their vineyards. It's mostly Xarello with 10% Chardonnay, part fermented in new 500-liter French oak barrels and then refermented in bottle, where it was kept with the lees for a minimum of 20 months. It has a nice balance between fruit and more developed aromas and flavors of spice and yeast, and it has a balanced, tasty palate with integrated bubbles. Easy to drink. (LG) (4/2018)

K&L Notes

Bottling under the trademarked name "Loxarel," Can Mayol is a winery that has been farming organically for more than a decade. The Mitjan family, owners of Can Mayol, also employ some biodynamic treatments. They keep animals, including chickens, a horse and a donkey named Garnatxa. The focus is on "Brut Nature" (no dosage added) Penedes sparkling wine (they abandoned the "Cava" designation a few years ago). Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir thrive and pick up an incredible minerality, which makes these wines wonderfully distinctive and very exciting to drink. For the "Refugi" bottling, the blend of late has been Xarel-lo, including some top quality 70-year-old fruit, and Chardonnay. This is a brisk, bone dry style, with a saline, chalky, lemony quality. It is the most linear and driest of our current Loxarel wines. A singular sparkling wine, and for under $18! (Joe Manekin, K&L Spanish Wine Buyer)