Domaine Arretxea is one of the leading producers in Irouléguy, a small, mountainous appellation in French Basque Country, tucked into the western Pyrenees. Farming is biodynamic, and everything here is hand-harvested and low-intervention, with a focus on terroir expression over fruitiness.
The 2023 rosé is made from a blend of Tannat, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on sandstone and schist soils. This is not a soft Provençal sipper—it's a serious, dry rosé with real structure, grip, and spice. Pressed directly and fermented in stainless steel, it's precise, savory, and distinctly alpine.
Flavors lean more toward blood orange, pomegranate, wild herbs, and crushed stone, with a dry, slightly phenolic finish. It’s a brilliant food rosé—think grilled lamb, charred peppers, or Basque-style fish dishes.
If you love structured rosés from Bandol or Corsica, Arretxea’s version from the Pyrenees deserves a spot on your radar.