Espilako Xuria - Paul Carricaburu 2024
Domaine Espila (Espilako Xuria) is located in Ascarat , in the Irouléguy vineyard in the French Basque Country. An agricultural engineer by training, Paul Carricaburu returned to Ascarat in 2004 after several years in Africa, to revive the family business thanks to the Irouléguy wine. From 2008 to 2013, he planted several small plots of Petit Manseng, Gros Manseng and Petit Courbu vines; three plots of 0.3 hectares and one plot of 0.5 hectares. He offered his first vintage in 2018, also cultivates cereals, legumes, oilseeds and breeds small Basque country horses. The vineyard has been managed organically since 2016, certified since the 2019 vintage.
This vintage is composed of Petit Manseng (70%) grown on sandstone and clay-limestone soils, Petit Courbu (20%) grown on clay-limestone soil, and Gros Manseng (10%) grown on Keuper ophite soil. The grape varieties are vinified in stainless steel vats and aged on fine lees .
Grape varieties: 70% Petit Manseng, 20% Petit Courbu, 10% Gros Manseng
"Espilako Xuria 2024 offers a lovely balance between freshness and roundness. The Petit Manseng brings liveliness and fruity notes, while the Petit Courbu and Gros Manseng enhance the complexity and texture thanks to aging on fine lees."