Gorobel
100% Hondarrabi Zuri

 

 

In 1994, the DO Bizkaiko Txakolina was introduced to honor the great tradition of producing txakoli, hoping this would help expand the knowledge about this ancestral wine and to appreciate and protect Basque grape varieties such as Hondarrabi Zuri, the emblematic grape of rural Biscay where txakoli is produced.

Gorobel is a mountain range dividing the Mediterranean and Cantabrian slopes. It is on this slope, in the town of Orduña (Bizkaia) that Luis’ vineyard is located. Gorobel is the divider between Burgos and Bizkaia. It is the meeting between the dry wind from the south and the cold and humid wind from the Bay of Bizkaia. This humid wind prevails prevails and gives the wine its Atlantic character.

The vineyard was planted in 1990 and has been grown without herbicides, insecticides or any systematic treatments for a very long period. It receives an average rainfall of 900mm.

The harvest is performed manually in small crates. Total destemming and then macerated in tinajas and stainless steel tanks. Fermentation with indigenous yeast on skins for 8 days. Aged in French oak barrels,
tinajas, stainless steel tanks on lees, and some glass demijohns. Bottled without fining or filtering, minimal intervention. 16mg/L free SO2.

Around 1,600 bottles produced for the inaugural 2021 vintage.

Reviews

Vintage 2021

  • A Txakoli from Bizkaia, the 2021 Gorobel was produced with Hondarribi Zuri grapes that were picked with good ripeness (12.7% alcohol),
    macerated with skins for 10 days and didn’t go through malolactic, then matured in oak barrel, stainless steel, tinaja and glass demijohns
    before being blended. The label mentions “pure” and “without makeup.” It has complexity of aromas and flavors, with texture and varietal
    typicity (herbal, peppery and quince, yellow fruit more than white). It’s a serious white wine with a mineral, dry and chalky finish, a
    combination of the soils and the high acidity (pH 3.27 and 7.71 grams of acidity).
    1,600 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2022. Drink 2023-2027.

    91 pts — Luis Gutiérrez, The Wine Advocate (Apr. 2023)