"Guarda Superior Paraje Calificado Cava is the most precise expression of its origin"

Ferran Centelles presents the five new Guarda Superior de Paraje Calificado Cavas

On Wednesday, March 18, the Cava D.O. presented the five new Guarda Superior Paraje Calificado Cavas during a tasting led by Ferran Centelles, Drinks Manager at the elBulli Foundation and a correspondent for Jancis Robinson, one of the most renowned voices in the industry.

This event provided attendees with a first-hand opportunity to discover the excellence of this category, which represents the highest quality level within the CAVA D.O.

During the tasting, the five new Cavas recently added to this category, from the Carles Andreu, Sumarroca, and Vins El Cep wineries, were explored, highlighting their uniqueness, connection to the terroir, and meticulous production.

"Demarcated vineyards, specific conditions, and a production process that aims to faithfully reflect the terroir in each bottle of cava, making it a form of liquid emotion."

Ferran Centelles, Drinks Manager at the elBulli Foundation

The five new Cavas de Guarda Superior de Paraje Calificado met stringent standards and were revalidated by a panel of top sommeliers and Masters of Wine.

CARLES ANDREU, L’Era del Celdoni, Paratge L’Era del Celdoni, 2017

Ferran Centelles: "What makes this Cava truly exciting is, above all, where it comes from: ancient, open-air threshing floor, historically associated with quality and balance."

This Cava showcases a single-varietal Parellada that is elegant, well-structured, and deep. Breaking molds, it is neither light nor simple, but rather complex and suited for long-term aging.

"A clear demonstration that Parellada can be aged… and very well."

Over 72 months of aging deliver a rich aromatic profile: pear, gooseberry, and hints of fennel blend with features associated with long aging, such as brioche, dried apricots, and subtle notes of toffee.

SUMARROCA, Núria Claverol Homenatge, Paratge Les Peretes, 2016

"A Cava that brings together history, landscape, and varietal character; elegant, refined, and deeply balanced. The aging period adds complexity without sacrificing freshness or varietal identity." Ferran Centelles.

The Xarel·lo variety reaches its fullest expression in a wine that pays homage to its origins (first planted in 1979). The Paratge, which has great historical value and is home to an ancient 11th-century hermitage, furnishes the wine with character and a sense of place.

Calcareous soils, containing silt, contribute to a well-balanced texture and a clean, precise expression.

SUMARROCA, Núria Claverol Allier, Paratge Cols, 2016

"A more hedonistic style, but very well constructed. A clear commitment to opulence and breadth." Ferran Centelles.

One-third of the wine is aged in Allier oak barrels, giving it a more gastronomic and structured profile.

Intense notes of butter and pastries, aged for approximately 8.5 years in the bottle. A Cava with a strong sensory impact, designed for the table.

Located on a lower terrace near the Anoia River, El Paraje features soils with a higher proportion of clay and less silt, which helps retain water and gives the wine density.

SUMARROCA, Núria Claverol, Blanc de Noirs, Paratge Rosendo, 2016

"A wine of precision, in which every decision made at the vineyard and the winery can be discerned in the glass." Ferran Centelles.

This wine comes from a cooler area of the estate, surrounded by forest, which clearly defines its character.

This is a small vineyard, cultivated with the utmost precision, with harvests carried out in multiple passes and with very low yields. During the pressing, only 35% to 45% of the juice is extracted to ensure just the right hue and achieve the utmost finesse.

The result is a delicate, smooth, and deeply savory cava with very fine bubbles and layers of complexity, featuring well-integrated notes of dried apricot and hints of aging.

VINS EL CEP, Blanc de Negres, Paratge Can Prats, 2021

"This is a Paraje Calificado Cava of great precision, delicate in style, but with a salty background and a very savory nature, which endows it with depth and complexity." Ferran Centelles

The winery's second Cava de Guarda Superior de Paraje Calificado. The 2021 vintage marks the start of a drier cycle, but the vineyard was able to maintain its balance thanks to accumulated water reserves.

Of special note is the extremely careful work done in the press: only 25% of the grapes were pressed to obtain the finest and most elegant portion of the must.

"A wine that reflects the sensitivity to the terroir of one of the families that best embodies it. Precision, purity, and respect." Ferran Centelles

Currently, 15 Cavas hold the Cava de Guarda Superior de Paraje Calificado designation:

1. Art Laietà d’Alta Alella. Migin Exeo Paraje Calificado Vallcirera. Aging: ˃66 months.
2. Art Laietà d’Alta Alella. Migin Opus Paraje Calificado Vallcirera. Aging: 50 months.
3. Carles Andreu. L'Era del Celdoni Paraje Calificado. Aging: 87 months.
4. Codorníu. Ars Collecta Paraje Calificado La Fideuera. Aging: >90 months.
5. Codorníu. Ars Collecta Paraje Calificado La Pleta. Aging: >90 months.
6. Codorníu. Ars Collecta Paraje Calificado El Tros Nou. Aging: >90 months.
7. Ferrer Wines. Can Sala Paraje Calificado. Aging: 144 months.
8. Ferrer Wines. Vinyes de Can Sala Paraje Calificado. Aging: ˃120 months.
9. Juvé & Camps. La Capella Paraje Calificado. Aging: ˃150 months.
10. Pere Ventura. Gran Vintage Paraje Calificado Can Bas. Aging: ˃96 months.
11. Sumarroca. Núria Claverol Allier Paraje Calificado Finca Cols. Aging: 36 months.
12. Sumarroca. Núria Claverol Homenatge Paraje Calificado Finca Peretes. Aging: ˃80 months.
13. Sumarroca. Núria Claverol Blanc de Noirs Paraje Calificado Finca Rosendo. Aging: 36 months.
14. Vins El Cep. Claror Paraje Calificado Can Prats. Aging: ˃84 months.
15. Vins El Cep. Blanc de Negres Paraje Calificado Can Prats. Aging: 36 months.

During the event, the new Elaboradores Integrales (Comprehensive Producers) were also presented, a distinction recognizing wineries that carry out the entire winemaking process entirely on their own property.

On this occasion, four new family wineries were integrated into the Elaboradores Integrales program: Bolet, Eudald Massana, Rovellats, and Torrens Moliner, bringing the total number to 19.