rating B+
standout founding producer of cava
about winemaking history goes back to 1551. The first traditional method sparkling wine, which later came to be called cava, was made by Josep Raventos after a trip to Champagne. Since then, Codorníu has become one of the two big cava producers, making an extraordinary range of wines due to their access to fruit from all over Catalunya. Their entry-level series of wines is of good quality, with exceptional single-vinyeard super-premium wines at the the other end of the scale. Codorníu also own Artesa in Napa Valley, and have invested in Argentina.
wines tasted
“Anna de Codorníu” Brut NV ($11)
Traditional blend of the three cava varieties. First made in 1984, Anna de Codorníu is now its own series of wines, incorporating eight different labels. The Brut is the biggest-selling wine in Spain—retailing at under €10 it’s easy to see why. Not a complex, but nor is it overly simple with a light lees texture and a pleasant fruitiness. Available in various sizes from 200ml to magnums.
“Jaume” Brut Gran Reserva (vintage) ($50)
Named after the sixteenth-century founder of Codorníu, “Jaume” is a vintaged blend of three different vineyards from the producer’s holdings across Catalunya. The varieties used are Xarello from Penedès, Pinot Noir from Conca de Barberá, and Chardonnay from La Pleta. A stylish representation of cava.
Ars Collecta El Tros Nou Paraje Calificado (vintage) ($95)
100% Pinot Noir, so a slightly different take on traditional cava. 90 months on the lees for a mature, complex wine with aromas of earth, mushroom, truffle, dried fruit, quince, brioche, toast, vanilla, and honey, maintaining high acid. 2010 vintage tasted (in 2023).
Ars Collecta La Pleta Paraje Calificado (vintage) ($120)
100% Chardonnay—an interesting comparison to El Tros Nou. La Pleta is a vineyard inland near the Aragon border, where Codorníu’s Raïmat range of wines come from in a much drier, more arid area than purely Mediterranean Catalunya. Gripping acid structure with mature aromas of bread, dough, mushrooms, cooking apples, roasted almonds, andn yoghurt. 2007 tasted (in 2018) which was the first release. 2011 is the current release.
Ars Collecta “457” (vintage) ($175)
Another Xarello, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay blend from the three Paraje Califiacado vineyards that Codorníu own. The name comes from the number of vintages made since the 16th century: “457” is from 2008; current release is “459” from 2010. A powerful yet elegant wine: cava at its most high-end.
website https://www.codorniu.com
phone
address Avda Jaume de Codorníu, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia
