42 Zura 2018 White Wine

Elaboration

Zura means oak in Basque. The name is precise: 42 Zura spent exactly 42 days in oak barrels — not 40, not 50 — because at Gorka Izagirre, every decision in the cellar is made with the same conviction that every decision in the vineyard is made: with complete intentionality and no room for approximation. The wine begins with Hondarrabi Zerratia from 18-year-old vines on the steep, southeast-facing plots of Larrabetzu, hand-harvested in October at the low yields that guarantee optimal ripeness. Fermentation at 12°C for 23 days preserves the variety's aromatic complexity. Twelve months on fine lees in stainless steel builds the texture, depth and structural sophistication that set this wine apart from any other Txakoli in existence. Forty-two days in oak add integration and softness. Four months in bottle bring everything together. The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles named it the Best International White Wine of 2019. Every step of that process explains exactly why.