2017 Recaredo Serral del Vell Corpinnat

95 POINTS

Tim Atkin MW

“Serral del Vell is a star, channelling all the salty-mineral focus that Xarel-lo can draw from these soils. Bright mandarin and lime rind aromatics, softened a touch by Macabeo's peachiness and lifted by lavender florals and subtle fresh nut lees character. Superb.” 95 points, Tom Hewson, Catalunya Sparkling Wine Report (Tim Atkin MW)

95 POINTS

Mike Bennie - The Wine Front

“The bubbles are there only to help express some more detail, not to star, these are wines made with soft bubbles as an accent, which is the style of our region, and what we drink on our tables with food”, says Ton Mata, Recaredo vigneron. Serral del Vell is the name of the location, though the varied plots are from the same ‘estate’ and same soil. Typically seen as a more minerally expression, though Reacaredo seems to have a strong line to minerality regardless. Mostly xarel-lo with some macabeu. MB: A huge volume of perfume, dried flowers, apple, fennel, buttered cinnamon buns, ginger and sea spray. The palate is acute, tightly wound, super minerally with veins of racy brine, crushed rock and slate lancing lime and crunchy green apple characters – a dominant and proud feature, enlivening the palate wildly. The fizz is frisky but a back seat. Gentle palate staining of apple, ginger, cinnamon and brine. Brilliant, vivid, alive. 95 points KS: Such detailed perfume! Almond blossom, waxy quality, candle wax, frangipani aroma, white stone fruit, nectarine stone bitterness, white flowers. Very pretty. Acidity and texture here are like talcum powder, chalky but very fine and sort of squeaky vibrating at a high pitch. Amazing finesse and elegance. 95 points

95 POINTS

Luis Gutierrez - Robert Parker Wine Advocate

“All their wines are Brut Nature, and so is the 2017 Serral del Vell, a blend of 87% Xarel.lo and 13% Macabeo. They look for the expression of the soil here, narrower and more direct, with more tension and with tons of elegance from the aging with the lees, very integrated and balanced, keeping the acidity. It developed an acute note of licorice with time in the glass. It was disgorged after 56 months sur lie, because demand outgrows supply. They have 47,000 bottles of this vintage, which should last them for two years, so the 2018 will have a longer aging in bottle when it's released.” 95 points, Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate

93 POINTS

Sylvia Wu - Decanter

A member of the Corpinnat association in Penedès, Recaredo is a biodynamic producer specialising in long-aged Brut Nature sparkling wines. The 2017 vintage is driven by Xarel-lo (87%). 53 months of lees ageing gives it a complex nose of honey-roasted almonds, bruised Bramley apple and citrus. More oxidative depth and leesy texture on the palate. Refreshed by 5.2g/l of acidity, the nutty sourdough notes lead to a long, umami-rich finish.