Notify me
2021 Irouléguy Blanc “Hegoxuri”
Domaine ArretxeaArretxea’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
2021 Cahors
France | Southwest
If nearby Bordeaux is the polished and urbane one in the family, Cahors is the sneakily sophisticated but humbler country cousin, loaded with personality you’ll enjoy getting to know.
2022 Jurançon Sec “Comète”
France | Southwest
Comète emphasizes the nerve, concentration, and exotic perfume of Petit Manseng. Quantities extremely limited.
2021 Cahors HALF BOTTLE
France | Southwest
A red perennially punches way above its weight, both in the immediate pleasure it delivers and the way it evolves in the bottle over time.
2022 Jurançon Sec “Météore”
France | Southwest
Expect notes of peach pulp, beeswax, almond, and stone, with a serious emphasis on the stone.
2020 Irouléguy Rouge “Cuvée Haitza”
France | Southwest
A black wine made from steep inclines planted to Tannat and some Cabernet Sauvignon, it demands patience while its dense, mouth-coating tannins slowly release their clutching grip.
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.
More from Southwest or France
Vin de Pays Memoire “d’Automnes”
Domaine La Tour Vieille France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2022 Jurançon Sec “Comète”
Clos Larrouyat France | Southwest
2022 Côtes de Provence Rosé
Sainte Magdeleine France | Provence
2021 Cahors
Clos La Coutale France | Southwest
2021 Riesling “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Réserve
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Cahors HALF BOTTLE
Clos La Coutale France | Southwest
2022 Jurançon Sec “Météore”
Clos Larrouyat France | Southwest
2020 Irouléguy Rouge “Cuvée Haitza”
Domaine Arretxea France | Southwest
Bugey-Cerdon “La Cueille”
Patrick Bottex France | Savoie, Bugey, Hautes-Alpes
2019 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2019 Sancerre Rouge “Champs d’Alligny”
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
Vin de Pays Memoire “d’Automnes”
Domaine La Tour Vieille France | Languedoc-Roussillon
2022 Jurançon Sec “Comète”
Clos Larrouyat France | Southwest
2022 Côtes de Provence Rosé
Sainte Magdeleine France | Provence
2021 Cahors
Clos La Coutale France | Southwest
2021 Riesling “Réserve”
Albert Boxler France | Alsace
2022 Riesling Réserve
Meyer-Fonné France | Alsace
2021 Cahors HALF BOTTLE
Clos La Coutale France | Southwest
2022 Jurançon Sec “Météore”
Clos Larrouyat France | Southwest
2020 Irouléguy Rouge “Cuvée Haitza”
Domaine Arretxea France | Southwest
Bugey-Cerdon “La Cueille”
Patrick Bottex France | Savoie, Bugey, Hautes-Alpes
2019 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Taupenot-Merme France | Burgundy
2019 Sancerre Rouge “Champs d’Alligny”
Daniel Chotard France | Loire
Vintage Chart Mentality
Vintage Chart Mentality
Trust the great winemakers, trust the great vineyards. Your wine merchant might even be trustworthy. In the long run, that vintage strip may be the least important guide to quality on your bottle of wine.—Kermit Lynch