Oxer Wines Matalaz 2025

Drink it now or cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant, but best to open it half an hour before service.

Founded in 2005 by Oxer Bastegieta, a young Basque winemaker, Oxer Wines is a Spanish winery located in the area of ​​Laguardia, in the northeast of the country. The estate spans just under 5 hectares of organically farmed vineyards.

Matalaz is a blend of Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Viura, and Graciano, sourced from vineyards in the Rioja Alavesa, specifically in the municipality of Lapuebla de Labarca. Here, the vines, ranging from 50 to 80 years old, take root in the stony soil and are cultivated using regenerative, organic farming practices. Yields are kept low, resulting in wines of great concentration and exceptional quality. Fermentation occurs spontaneously in oak, and the finished wine is aged for approximately 8 months in used 500-liter barrels. The wine’s name pays homage to the priest Matalaz: a hero and a symbol of resistance, justice, and equality.

In the glass, the wine reveals a brilliant, intense color with ruby ​​hues. Its aromatic profile is broad and mature, featuring notes of plum and blackberry, followed by hints of vanilla, pepper, and licorice. On the palate, it is lean and fresh, juicy and light-bodied, with a pleasant vein of acidity, smooth tannins, and a long, saline finish. It is an elegant, authentic wine that truly embodies the winemaking tradition of Rioja, pairing well with Galician-style octopus, white meats, and meat empanadas.