Gorrondona Bizkaiko Txakolina Tinto 2020 750 ML

Doniene Gorrondona is famous for never giving up on the native hondarrabi beltza grape and red txakolina, as the history of the region once included more red wines than white prior to phylloxera due to the proximity of the lucrative Bordeaux market across the bay. In fact, they built their entire project in 1994 around the centenary vines in the oldest vineyards at Gorrondona, acting as inspiration for reviving the lost traditions of txakolina production in the Bizkaiko area. \n\nBeltza is easily one of the coolest and most unique red wines produced in the Basque Country, or Spain, for that matter. Beltza is a pioneering red txakoli that both Doniene Gorrondona and De Maison Selections have fought for more than two decades to save hondarrabi beltza from extinction. These days it is easy to forget that before producers like Gorrondona saved hondarrabi beltza, only a few hectares of the grape existed in very small pockets in Basque Country, and most everyone except two of our producers had given up on it entirely. This was before the rose explosion convinced other local producers that the grape was worthwhile. \n\nBeltza has become a cult classic among those in the know and is widely regarded as the premier red txakolina of Basque Country. With a wild, rustic red fruit character and not a trace of astringency, Beltza is fruit-driven and peppery; it is reminiscent of cabernet franc, to which it has recently been identified to be one of the parents. Fans of Loire Valley Chinon and Saumur Rouge will instantly understand this charming, wild, fresh red wine. Beltza repays time spent aging in bottle, patience rewarded with added complexity in just three to eight years of cellar time.