Only 1,000 cases made of this Elegant, vibrant, and piercingly saline bubbly — the 2019 Artadi "Izar-Leku" is a traditional method sparkling wine from the Basque Country made from Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza, with ripe pear, mirabelle, citrus, brioche, fresh herbs, and a salty, stony mineral finish that lingers like a sea breeze off the Cantabrian coast. Aged one year on the lees — one third in barrel — then 36 months in bottle before disgorgement, zero dosage, bone dry — this is méthode champenoise applied to Txakoli grapes with total seriousness and extraordinary results. "Izar-Leku" means "the place of the stars" in Basque, and this is a collaboration between the López de Lacalle family of Artadi and the Zapiain family, cider makers in the Basque Country for over 150 years — two families, one bold idea, and a wine that surprises everyone who opens it. Serve as an aperitif with oysters, Jamón Ibérico, pintxos, or anything that deserves bubbles with real depth and soul.
