Vins El Cep, Claror, Paratge Qualificat Can Prats Brut, Cava de Paraje, Penedès, Spain 2015

An old-vine blend of Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada, aged for 84 months, this shows the rewards of age in its complexity. Aromas call to mind baked apple and cream, with roasted nuts, plus lifted green apple and herbal notes. The rich, expansive, toasty palate is layered with fresh grapefruit, lemon, salted almonds, ripe apricot and lemon tart; crisp, with a dry mineral, slightly saline finish. A Cava to savour, and one of only 10 Cavas awarded the prestigious Paratge classification (made with vines from a single exceptional plot), and the only one that's grown biodynamically.