Let’s face it, “Irouléguy” might fun to say…but it’s likely to be a hard sale at most tables. However, when the former, longtime winemaker at Pétrus is behind it, wine folks will perk up and listen. And that’s the situation we have here with Herri Mina. The story goes, Jean-Claude Berrouet after spending over 30 years as the winemaker at Chateau Pétrus, returned to his Basque homeland to create Herri Mina. He made two wines: a Blanc and a Rouge. This is the former and it’s fabulous.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2022 Blanc is a blend of Gros Manseng, Petit Corbu, Petit Manseng. It pours a bright straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe tropical and orchard fruit: pineapple, green apple, some stone fruits, yellow flowers, nuts, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, slightly saline and there’s a rich, creamy texture. Classy. Drink now through 2032. — 4 months ago
One of the bottles from my annual WWC hosting, opened alongside a 2020 Chateau Beaucastel Blanc.
46% Grenache Blanc/31% roussanne/23% Chenin Blanc.
More expressive and dialed up compared to the Beaucastel (not a big surprise). Medium gold in the glass. Bright and juicy roussanne notes of orange marmalade and apricot, alongside white peaches and a powder-sugar funnel-cake type aromatic. The Chenin gives this a good spine of acidity to prevent the rich and full-bodied entry from being flabby. Honey-roasted nuts, honeycomb, lemon cream, underripe pineapple and a savory/waxy finish. The warmth comes out at the finish, but it’s not substantial. Really nice with 1-2hrs of air. — 25 days ago
Great Mas de Daumas Gassac with age. Claud has the 2014 on the main list and the 2013 on the longer list. Same price! Great call to get the 2013. Nice, fresh, rich. Had with an assortment of seafood starters (red shrimp, hamachi) and with the ham with sunchokes and chicken liver agnoloti. — 3 months ago
From everyday wines, smooth and minerally. Cheaper than the white Bordeaux that I like — 4 months ago
Really nice, light, Asian pear, kumquat, nice salinity,
Lemon af — 2 months ago
Great with fish. Complex acid and fruit. — 6 months ago
Peter van den Besselaar
Vintage 2022 made from Geos Manseng that we know from sweet wines. Introverted smell that disappointed me a bit, because I had a vin de France from this region that was very expressive. Lovely taste though. Apple, mango, a bit chubby ( what I like ). Dry but a candied wrapping that gives away the grape when you taste really well. — a month ago