Artadi Izar-Leku Brut 2016

Drink now or cellar for up to 5 years. Serve well chilled.

Artadi are best known for their exceptional and ageworthy Rioja wines which are coveted by collectors and wine enthusiasts around the world. In 2015 the winery embarked on a new project in the coastal town of Zarautz in the Basque country. Here they teamed up with experienced local winegrower Inaxio Manterola to work 9.26 acres of indigenous Hondarrabi Zuri and Beltza grapes which is used to make this sensational and unusual sparkling wine.

This region is best known for its crisp, fresh and lightly-fizzy Txakoli wines, and this new expression from Artadi interprets the traditional style into a more serious and ageworthy cuvee. The high acidity of the grapes is tamed by ageing the young wine in the bottle on the lees for two and a half years, and no dosage is added to maintain the bone dry flavour profile.

Citrus, green apples and subtle hints of white blossom define the nose while the first sip reveals a vivacious acidity, light body and crisp flavours of orchard fruits and sweet pastries ending in a very pure, clean finish. A great wine to serve as an unusual aperitif or to accompany fresh seafood, grilled fish or light appetizers.