Domaine Arretxea - Hegoxuri - Magnum 2023
Hegoxuri 2023 in magnum from Domaine Arretxea embodies the most accomplished dimension of Irouléguy whites, with a format that further enhances its aging potential and depth. The pale, shiny gold color suggests a full-bodied wine perfectly balanced by freshness. The nose opens with aromas of ripe lemon, juicy pear, and white peach, surrounded by notes of white flowers, wild fennel, and subtle hints of exotic fruits. There is an underlying mineral framework derived from schists and sandstones, which brings a sensation of tension and verticality to the bouquet. On the palate, the attack is broad, driven by vibrant and perfectly defined fruit. The texture, dense yet slender, unfolds with a silky touch, never losing its dynamism. The finish, long and saline, leaves an impression of remarkable purity and balance.
With aeration, Hegoxuri 2023 in magnum gains aromatic complexity and breadth, revealing nuances of anise, grapefruit zest, fresh almond, and delicate spices. The texture becomes more enveloping but remains traversed by an acidic and mineral backbone that structures the whole. The gentle vinification, through slow pressing and natural fermentations, followed by precise aging in large containers, allows the wine to express its terroir without disguise. The magnum format, due to its slower evolution, enhances this harmony between density and tension while preserving the fruit's freshness for a long time. The signature of Arretxea is fully present: a luminous style, serious in construction but with great aromatic clarity. Each glass tells the story of the alliance between the Basque mountain, the rock, and demanding viticulture. The wine already presents itself with a form of obviousness, while hinting at a slow and refined evolution.
At the table, Hegoxuri 2023 in magnum is ideally suited for grand occasions and refined cuisines. It elevates noble roasted fish, shellfish, scallops, farm-raised poultry with citrus or morels, as well as herb and seasonal vegetable risottos. Its saline framework and complex aromatic dimension also make it a natural companion for asparagus, braised fennel, roasted root vegetables, and young or aged sheep's milk cheeses. Served around 11 to 12 °C, it unfolds all its brilliance without losing precision. The magnum format gives it extended aging potential, promising over the years notes of dry honey, dried fruits, beeswax, and herbal infusions, while retaining its characteristic Basque tension. It is a great Irouléguy white, deep and vibrant, designed as much for immediate shared pleasure as for cellar aging.
Grape varieties: Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Courbu, Petit Courbu
