($23, Skurnik):  Raventós I Blanc, one of the shining stars of Spanish sparkling wine, left the Cava DO in 2013 and is spearheading a project to create a new one, Conca del Riu Anoia, based on the Anoia River Valley.  They felt the regulations governing Cava were weak and wanted stricter ones for producing higher quality sparkling wines.  With the barest hint of a light copper hue, you’d be excused if you thought this was a white wine.  It takes its “color” from the 5 percent of Monastrell in the blend with Xarel-lo, Parellada and Macabeo.  So don’t buy it expecting a pinkish hue to wow your lover on Valentine’s Day.  Rather buy it because it is outstanding and a bargain for what it delivers.  Impeccably balanced between a delicate fruitiness and an elegant structure, it has a caressing texture that allows you to enjoy it on its own, but enough substance and structure to hold up nicely against full-flavored Vietnamese cuisine.
93 Michael Apstein Jan 23, 2018