Wine Advocate

2003 Raventos i Blanc Cava Gran Reserva de la Finca

Source: The Wine Advocate #176 (Apr.2008)

These are two of the better Cava in my comprehensive Spanish tasting as well as two of the better values. The 2003 Gran Reserva de la Finca spent 36 months on its lees. It includes a majority of Xarello as well as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Macabeo, and Parellada. It reveals more aromatic complexity, an elegant, crisp palate feel, dry flavors, and excellent length. It too is an excellent value in sparkling wine.

Robert Parker’s rating system:

90-95:

An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.
Robert Parker

Wine Advocate

N.V. Raventos i Blanc Cava L’Hereu

Source: The Wine Advocate #176 (Apr.2008)

These are two of the better Cavas in my comprehensive Spanish tasting as well as two of the better values. The N.V. L’Hereu de Raventos i Blanc was produced by the methode champenoise, unusual for such an inexpensive bubbly. A blend of Macabeo, Xarello, and Parellada, it exhibits an attractive mousse and refreshing crisp acidity on the palate. Balanced, tasty, and with good length, this is a great value in Cava.

Robert Parker’s rating system:

90-95:

An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.
Robert Parker

De Nit Reserva Brut Rose

Best Sparkler

Raventos i Blanc
De Nit Reserva Brut Rose
Penedes, Spain 2007

This blend of 55% Macabeo and three other local grapes has a wild strawberry nose. The palate has beautifully poised fruit, a texture that combines freshness and sensuality, and a crystal-clear finish: sensational. £18.99 Dvy

Gran Reserva de la Finca

Raventos i Blanc, Gran Reserva de la Finca

This firm includes in its name that of Josep Raventos, the legendary member of the Codorniu family who controversially introduced the “Champagne method” to Penedes in 1872, and who produced the first quality Spanish sparkling wine. The firm is the brainchild of another great character in the history of Catalan Cava, Josep Maria Raventos i Blanc, who decided to devote his life to winemaking in 1986.
Near the entrance to the winery’s cellars, opposite the buildings designed by the great modern architect Puig i Cadafalch, stands the majestic old oak that appears in the hose logo. The vineyards and cellars comprise one of the most impressive estates in Penedes, boasting some 250 acres (100ha) of vineyards planted mostly to the traditional Cava varieties – Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. These constitute 85 percent of the blend for the Gran Reserva de la Finca, the balance being Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Given its modest price, this sparkler strikes a rare balance between complexity and freshness: It is fruity, complex, creamy, polished, and elegant.  This is a cava with greater than usual longevity.
Jesus Barquin.

L'Hereu Reserva Brut 2007

Raventos i Blanc L’Hereu Reserva Brut 2007

Penedes, Spain

Having been passed down from generation to generation since 1497, the skills and knowledge that go into Raventos i Blanc are unsurpassed. This engaging winery produces clean and forward wines that combine the best of the old and the new. Like many of Cava’s best producers, efforts are focused on the vineyards in a bid to yeild the best fruit possible.

Assembled from the traditional blend of Macabeo (60 per cent), Parellada (20 per cent) and Xarel-lo (20 per cent) expect to find a compact wine concealing plenty of bright green apple and lemon sherbet character. In your mouth there is soft stone and citrus fruit flavour, while a charge of tiny bubbles balances things out nicely. The perfect aperitif, or equally brilliant with a dozen natural oysters.