Located in Irouléguy, in the heart of the Basque country, Domaine Arretxea (literally “the house of stone”) has been managed by Thérèse and Michel Riouspeyrous since 1989. This family-owned property, belonging at one time to grandfather Michel, spreads over 8 hectares. They grow Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes, and Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng and Courbu for their whites. The domaine has been certified organic since 1998 and is now also biodynamic. Domaine Arretxea has come to be one of the best representatives of this region’s wines.

On the nose, this cuvée has rich aromas of red fruits (strawberry, cherry, blackcurrant), as well as peppery, liquorice notes. On the palate, there is a pleasant freshness, suppleness and palatability, as well as a lovely structure. This wine can be drunk today – after aeration -, otherwise cellar for 8 to 10 years. It marries perfectly with duck in black cherry sauce and Sarladais potatoes. The grapes are picked by hand and destemmed before undergoing natural fermentation and maceration for three weeks. The wine is then matured on its lees in concrete vats for 18 months.