Freixenet Carta Nevada Brut (75cl, 11.5%)

Freixenet Carta Nevada Brut is a traditional-method Spanish Cava from the Cava DO in Penedès, made by Freixenet. It blends Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada, with a second fermentation in bottle and around nine months' ageing in underground caves. A dosage of roughly 1.5% residual sugar places it at the sweeter edge of the brut spectrum. The nose opens with ripe peach and apricot, followed by nutty oatmeal notes and a thread of vanilla, with subtle citrus and gentle floral hints. On the palate it is soft and generous, with white nectarine and apple juice flavours, delicate tarragon and nectarine skin nuances, and softly balanced acidity. The finish is dry and moderately long, with spicy almond, a faint floral echo and mineral crispness.