The Juvé & Camps Gran Reserva Brut Nature Cava 2022 is available at Costco for $15.89 and elsewhere for a few dollars more.
The Story
Juvé & Camps has been in business since 1796 and has had a winery in the Penedès (Spain)since 1921. It is a family-owned winery currently run by the 4th generation.
This is a fancy Cava, a vintage dated (2022), Gran Reserva Bubbly. As a Gran Reserva, the second fermentation must last a minimum of 30 months; here it lasted 36 months.
The grapes, the traditional Cava grapes of 50% Xarel-lo, 35% Macabeo, and 15% Parellada, are sourced from certified organic vineyards.
This Sparkling wine is produced in the Traditional or Champagne Method. The longer the 2nd fermentation, the more the bubbles are incorporated into the wine. The Bubbly becomes smoother and creamier.
Brut Nature indicates that no sugar is added. When the 2nd fermentation is complete, the lab tests the wine and measures the amount of sweet wine to be added to bring the wine to Demi-sec (sweet), Brut (dry), and so on.
The 1st fermentation is completed when the wine is extremely tart and sour; the 2nd fermentation finishes the wine. Brut Nature indicates they got it right the first time and nothing added is necessary.
Vintage-dated bubbly is usually only produced in exceptional years to show off an exciting vintage. This wine completed 2nd fermentation in March of 2026, so it is fresh.
The alcohol content is 12%.
The Juvé & Camps Gran Reserva Brut Nature Cava 2022 Tasting Notes
The color shows a lemon/gold color. The nose is interesting, herbs and minerals, soft spice, lemon, melon, stone fruit, and a faint floral edge. The Juvé & Camps Gran Reserva Brut Nature Cava 2022 has a complex flavor profile and slighly changes with every sip.
The Cava tastes like peach and spice, melon and tart apple, stone fruit, with a hint of brioche. You can taste the age, this is nothing like the typical value-priced Cava’s with 9 months of aging. Here the flavors have combined and mutated (in a good way).
The acidity allows the flavors to unfold and give this wine length.
The Summary
- The Juvé & Camps Gran Reserva Brut Nature Cava 2022 a Bubbly that is well worth trying.
- If a Champagne had all the same details, it would sell for over $100.
- This is a creamy, spicy Cava that may take a few sips to get your head around, but is well worth the effort.
