Domaine Arretxea Cuvée Haitza 2020

Domaine Arretxea sits in Irouléguy, the small Basque appellation on the southern slopes of the western Pyrenees, where Michel and Thérèse Riouspeyrous have farmed since 1989. The vines grow on steep terraces between 200 and 400 metres, angled to catch even sunlight, on schist and sandstone soils that drain hard and force the roots deep. The estate is farmed biodynamically, and the wine blends Tannat, the region's backbone grape, with Cabernet Franc for aromatic lift. Tannat is naturally high in tannin and pigment, so the eighteen months in barrel serve to soften and knit that structure, the slow oxygen exchange through the wood rounding the phenolics and adding a savoury frame rather than overt oak flavour. The result is deep ruby, with a nose of dark plum, black cherry, cracked pepper, leather and dried thyme. The palate is dense and grippy, the mountain acidity keeping it fresh, the tannins firm but ripe, closing long and earthy. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees, ideally decanted an hour ahead, alongside roast lamb or grilled red meat.