Domaine Arretxea - Irouléguy White - Ophites 2024
In the heart of the Basque Country, on the steep slopes of Irouléguy, Domaine Arretxea has embodied for over thirty years a viticulture deeply attached to the identity of the Pyrenean terroirs. Founded in 1989 by Michel and Thérèse Riouspeyrous, the estate has gradually established itself among the major references of the great white wines of the Southwest, thanks to a demanding approach combining organic farming, biodynamics, and winemaking respectful of the grape. Today, their sons Iban and Teo continue this family adventure, notably developing a particularly ambitious parcel-by-parcel reading of the vineyard. Alongside the Grès and Schistes cuvées, Ophites explores a third geological component of this mountainous territory, characterized by the presence of volcanic-origin rocks. These ancient formations, relatively rare in the Irouléguy vineyard, add an additional dimension to the diversity of the estate's terroirs. The Riouspeyrous family notably developed new plantings on these soils starting in 2019, giving rise to a unique expression of the local white grape varieties. Ophites thus illustrates the estate's desire to precisely reveal the influence of geology on the personality of the wines, in a constant search for depth, freshness, and elegance.
Ophites 2024 is made from a blend of 60% Gros Manseng and 40% Petit Manseng, grown on ophite soils, ancient magmatic rocks whose volcanic origin distinguishes this terroir from the neighboring sandstone and schist formations. These stony and well-drained soils provide a particular environment for the two grape varieties, promoting a structured expression and a characteristic freshness of great mountain whites. Gros Manseng brings liveliness, fruity character, and generosity, while Petit Manseng contributes aromatic depth and persistence to the whole. The vines are managed organically, following biodynamic principles, with careful soil work and a constant search for vegetative balance. Manual harvesting allows rigorous selection of the grapes, whose maturity is determined by tasting the berries. Fermentation and aging take place in oak vats for ten months to develop the wine's body and complexity without masking the terroir's expression. This measured elaboration gives birth to a dry white where the natural richness of the Mansengs meets a particularly pronounced tension, the signature of this parcel cuvée.
Ophites 2024 presents an elegant and nuanced aromatic expression, combining fresh citrus, pear, and apricot with delicate floral notes. Upon aeration, the bouquet reveals touches of exotic fruits, lemon zest, and fine menthol nuances, highlighting the uniqueness of this cuvée. The palate has a broad and harmonious body, immediately crossed by a lively acidity that gives it a remarkable sensation of energy. Fresher and more taut in its expression than the natural generosity of the Mansengs might suggest, it develops a precise texture, carried by flavors of ripe citrus and white fruits. The finish, long and particularly salivating, is distinguished by a persistent mineral impression and an almost menthol freshness, characteristic of this volcanic terroir's expression. This great Basque white will ideally accompany pan-seared scallops, roasted turbot with beurre blanc, grilled langoustines, or free-range poultry with a creamy sauce. It will also find a particularly interesting pairing with an aged Pyrenean sheep's cheese, whose richness will be balanced by its liveliness. Still young, Ophites 2024 has a structure and freshness that will allow it to evolve favorably over about ten years, gradually gaining complexity and depth.
Grape varieties: 60% Gros Manseng, 40% Petit Manseng
