Winemaker Notes
Txakoli young and fruity coupage, is characterized for its color lemon with greenish, clear and intense reflections. In nose, notes of citrus white fruit and a subtle floral sound. Stable in mouth, alive (fresh), harmonious, round, persistent and an elegant, slightly bitter end and carateristic of the variety.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Their eponymous 2019 Itsasmendi is a blend of approximately equal quantities of Hondarrabi Zuri (Gros Corbu) and Hondarrabi Zuri Zerratia (Petit Corbu) with 12.7% alcohol, a low pH and notable acidity, from a vintage they consider very good, up there with 2015. The vines were planted from 1990 on different soils, fermented separately (there might be up to three weeks difference in ripening), and some lots matured with the lees for a short time. It is citrusy and floral, with a touch of fennel. It's still a little sulfury/reductive/dizzy from the recent bottling. The palate, which has to be the guide in these circumstances, is solid, seamless, balanced and tasty, with a notable salty finish.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
On the southern edge of the rocky Bay of Biscay in northern Spain, this is Basque country and home to the refreshing and slightly effervescent (usually) white wine, Txakoli. Three subregions compose the larger one: Getariako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina and Arabako Txakolina. While Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza are the main grape varieties, other French varieties are scattered throughout the region.