Magnum Irouléguy Haitza 2022 Arretxea | Southwest

The Irouléguy cuvée Haitza from the Arretxea wine estate is a blend of Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon. In Basque, Haitza means "oak", reflecting the energy of this wine with its extraordinary ageing capacity. It's one of the great red wines of the South West of France , and each tasting is as intense as the last. For this cuvée, all the grapes are destemmed, so as not to add to the already powerful Tannat. The entire winemaking process is carried out without inputs and with as little intervention as possible. Ageing lasts around 18 months in tuns on fine lees to obtain the softest possible tannins.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : For me, the Arretxea wine estate is the best in the Irouléguy appellation. It succeeds in producing great white wines as well as great reds. For me, the Haitza cuvée is the finest example of their unique know-how in this sector. Tannat is not an easy grape to work with, and needs to be worked methodically to extract its full potential. Combined with Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat makes a marvellous combination, resulting in a wine of magnificent concentration and superb length on the palate.

On the nose, the wine reveals a very refined side, with hints of blackberry, black cherry, eucalyptus and a touch of licorice.

The palate displays superb, caressing energy. There are notes of ripe black fruit, coffee and hibiscus. This is a complex, original wine with an aging capacity of around 20 years.