Gorka Izagirre Arima Vendimia Tardía 2022

Gorka Izagirre is a Txakoli producer in Bizkaia, in the Basque Country, with more than forty hectares of vineyards under the D.O. Bizkaiko Txakolina. Txakoli is usually a bracing dry white, but this Arima is a late-harvest version made from Hondarrabi Zuri Zerratia, the region's main white grape, left on the vine to ripen well beyond the normal harvest. The Atlantic climate here is cool and damp, and that backdrop is what makes the style work: even when the grapes reach high sugar, the maritime conditions and the grape's naturally high acidity hold the wine together. The fruit is picked ripe and concentrated, then the wine is aged in barrel, which softens the texture and adds a light spiced frame through slow oxygen exchange with the wood. The colour is bright yellow. The nose is intense, with very ripe peach and apricot wrapped in caramel, honey, cinnamon and citrus peel. The palate is sweet and round but kept fresh by the acidity that runs underneath, leaving a clean fruit finish. Serve well chilled, around 8 to 10 degrees, in a small white glass.