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2021 Irouléguy Blanc “Hegoxuri”
Domaine Arretxea
Arretxea’s flagship white, blended from the three local white grapes and raised in a combination of demi-muids and foudres. Bone-dry and bracingly tart, with notes of lime, ginger, and salted caramel. Decant it to best enjoy it young; with time, its edginess will soften and develop into something truly spectacular.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 60% Gros Manseng, 35% Petit Manseng, 5% Petit Courbu |
Appellation: | Irouléguy |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southwest |
Producer: | Maison Arretxea |
Winemaker: | Thérese & Michel Riouspeyrous |
Vineyard: | 15 to 20 years, 3 ha |
Soil: | Sandstone |
Aging: | Fermentation and aging in foudre, 600-L demi-muid (40%), and the rest in stainless steel |
Farming: | Biodynamic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 14% |
More from this Producer or Region

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This inky, tooth-staining Tannat blend is structured and deep, with a bright acidity and an abundance of wild dark fruits and black cardamon.

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Imagine a red straddling the Loire, Médoc, and Madiran with Basque flair and a Pyrenean freshness. You’ll see that Irouléguy is in a world apart.

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Any lover of whites from Chablis or the Loire should try this white made of Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, and Petit Courbu.

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2021 Irouléguy Rouge “Cuvée Haitza”
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About The Producer
Maison Arretxea
About The Region
Southwest
Tucked away beneath Bordeaux and buffeted by the Pyrenees to the south, this expansive region of France, commonly known as the Southwest, is home to a diverse number of viticulture and gastronomic traditions as well as cultures. Though Cahors might be the most well known (and easiest to pronounce) appellation from the Southwest, the importance and influence of French Basque culture cannot be underestimated. Irouléguy, the primary appellation of the Basque region of France produces full-bodied, hearty red wines, produced from Tannat grape (known for its tannic qualities). Dry whites from Irouléguy are also produced from Petit and Gros Manseng. Northeast of Irouléguy is the sweet wine-producing appellation of Jurançon. These moelleux wines made from Petit and Gros Manseng have a storied history in France, from being the first wine region to have a vineyard classification, which dates back to the 154th century, to being preferred wine of royalty dating back to the 16th century as well as the French poet Colette.
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Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236