Irouleguy Rouge Burdin Harria Domaine Arretxea 2021
High above Irouléguy in the Basque Country, Michel and Thérèse Riouspeyrous farm terraced schist and sandstone with biodynamic devotion. Arretxea — 'the house of stone' — yields Tannat and Manseng of rare tension, mountain freshness and quiet, mineral authority.
Burdin Harria draws on Tannat, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from terraced schist and sandstone above Irouléguy. The 2021 should show firm tannins and dark fruit in youth, built to soften over years into truffle and spice — a serious mountain-grown Basque red.