Jay Kline

9.2

Let’s face it, “Irouléguy” might fun to say…but it’s likely to be a hard sale at most tables. However, when the former, longtime winemaker at Pétrus is behind it, wine folks will perk up and listen. And that’s the situation we have here with Herri Mina. The story goes, Jean-Claude Berrouet after spending over 30 years as the winemaker at Chateau Pétrus, returned to his Basque homeland to create Herri Mina. He made two wines: a Blanc and a Rouge. This is the former and it’s fabulous.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2022 Blanc is a blend of Gros Manseng, Petit Corbu, Petit Manseng. It pours a bright straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe tropical and orchard fruit: pineapple, green apple, some stone fruits, yellow flowers, nuts, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, slightly saline and there’s a rich, creamy texture. Classy. Drink now through 2032. — 2 months ago

Serena Wu

8.9

Gros manseng!! Who knew it could be this good? High acidity, savory finish. Mineral and stone. — 9 months ago

with Brad

Daniel Bloom

8.9

N:Quince, Pear, a bit of banana, yellow fruits.
P: Ripping acid, very bright, tart even, .
Lemons and flowers, refreshing, not long. A good match for Puerto Rican rice&beans.
Grapes most of us don’t run across daily,
Gros Manseng, Petit Corbū, 50/50, all stainless. — 3 years ago

B A

9.3

Oh shit. Clean but viscous enough to give pulpy fruit and a little skin pollen. Spectacular — 3 months ago

Bernhard

9.4

Dry, oxydative notes,
apricot like acidity, nose papaya with mild oak note. — 8 months ago

Carter White

9.4

Pear, minerality, and honey, body and zip, delish! — 2 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.0

[Edit: 2 hours later this has come around a bit and a nice mineral character is showing through. Upped the score. Still not as interesting as the Pierre Rouge.]

We have quite enjoyed the other wines we’ve had from this producer; therefore we were surprised that this particular bottling turned out to be rather faceless & formulaic, a least to our palates. 😐 — 3 years ago

with Alsu

RustyR

9.2

Open. Pear but chalky on close — 4 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.0

Vintage 2022 | 80% Cabernet Franc from 30 y old vines and 20% Tannat from 150 y old vines. The CF brings a lovely frivolousness, the T structure. Basque Country nearby the Spanish border. | paired with a deerburger and salad. — 5 months ago

Diane M. Napolitano

9.7

Über-ripe 🍓, cedar but in a good way, basil, liquorice, really nice 🍷 — 2 years ago