When you first encounter a bottle of Agustí Torelló Mata Kripta, you realize it’s not just wine; it’s a design statement. The hand-blown, amphora-shaped bottle has no flat base. It cannot stand on its own. This is a deliberate choice by the winery: the bottle must stay in an ice bucket or be passed from hand to hand, emphasizing that Kripta is meant for shared, celebratory moments.
The 2016 Vintage: A Symphony of Time
The 2016 Gran Reserva is the pinnacle of the Penedès region. While standard Champagne requires 15 months of aging, Kripta 2016 spent a staggering 84+ months on the lees.
- The Blend: A meticulous selection of Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada from vines older than 60 years.
- The Profile: Expect a persistent, cream-like mousse. On the nose, it opens with ripe golden apples and toasted brioche, evolving into notes of butterscotch, hazelnuts, and a faint hint of truffle.
- The Finish: Bone-dry (Brut Nature), mineral, and incredibly long.
Why Collectors Love It:
Kripta is one of the few sparkling wines in the world that consistently earns 95+ points from international critics. It bridges the gap between the freshness of Mediterranean fruit and the oxidative complexity of aged vintage Champagne.
Kripta is one of the few sparkling wines in the world that consistently earns 95+ points from international critics. It bridges the gap between the freshness of Mediterranean fruit and the oxidative complexity of aged vintage Champagne.
