2024 Xarmant Txakoli

Aromas of lime zest, green strawberry, and white flowers integrate with savory notes of crushed salt and wet stone. The palate is light-bodied and exceptionally refreshing, featuring a core of zippy citrus and a subtle, natural spritz. It displays a racing acidity and a crisp texture that leads to a bone-dry finish marked by a distinct saline snap and a clean, thirst-quenching lift.

Winemakers the Alava brothers utilize a blend of 80% Hondarrabi Zuri with smaller portions of Petit Corbu, Gros Manseng, and Petit Manseng. Each variety is fermented separately with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks after a brief cold maceration. The wine ages on its fine lees for two months without battonage to maintain its high-toned energy. It is bottled with less residual carbon dioxide than coastal styles, resulting in a more refined and integrated effervescence.

The fruit is grown in the Artomaña Valley within the Arabako Txakolina (Álava) DO of the Basque Country. The site is defined by 52 acres of estate vineyards situated on deep alluvial and calcareous soils at 300 meters elevation. Surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped mountain barrier, the region is protected from extreme weather while benefiting from cooling Atlantic winds. This unique microclimate allows for the production of a "charming" (Xarmant) style of Txakoli that balances ripeness with the region's signature vibrant acidity.