The 2007 Casa Sala Brut Nature is the top of the range in the wide portfolio of Cava giant Freixenet. It has matured in bottle for some eight years before disgorgement. It's an unusual blend of 60% Parellada and 40% Xarello from over 20-year-old vines close to the winery. It shows some nutty aromas, but still comes through as a little young, with notes of apples and quince. The palate is tasty and soft, with honeyed flavors and a polished texture. 19,956 bottles produced.

"Apple, quince, apricot and bready aromas are elegant and mature. This well-aged Brut Nature feels solid and citrusy, while flavors of tangerine, white peach, apricot and sea brine finish comfortably and long, with a lasting taste of dried apricot."

The 2004 Brut Nature P. Ferrer Bosch is a limited bottling with everything done by hand. Made from 60% Xarel-lo and 40% Parellada with no dosage, it is developing tertiary aromas of considerable complexity. Elegant and nicely proportioned, this is a classy effort for drinking over the next 2-3 years. Most American consumers are unlikely to see any Freixenet product aside from the ubiquitous Cordon Negro. However, Freixenet produces a full range of Cavas ranging from very good to excellent in their price to quality ratio. I was able to see this firsthand in my visit to the winery in January 2011.Importer: Freixenet USA, www.freixenetusa.com