Herri Mina
Irouléguy Gros Manseng Blend
Irouléguy, Pyrénees-Atlantiques, Southwest France, France
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.
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.
Super green fruits tropical to stone and plus plus acidity with a saline finish.
Super green fruits tropical to stone and plus plus acidity with a saline finish.
Sep 27th, 2019
Loved this. Slightly floral, citrus, wet stones. High acid that screamed for fried seafood with copious amounts of lemon.
Loved this. Slightly floral, citrus, wet stones. High acid that screamed for fried seafood with copious amounts of lemon.
Sep 24th, 2017Wow. Still @corkbuzz. Another new French appellation for me and 2 new grape varieties- Petite and Gros Manseng. Amazing with the hamachi crudo. The world just got bigger.
Wow. Still @corkbuzz. Another new French appellation for me and 2 new grape varieties- Petite and Gros Manseng. Amazing with the hamachi crudo. The world just got bigger.
5 people found it helpfulMar 12th, 2013Skunky, funky Irouleguy, with the remnants of a wonderful meal.
Skunky, funky Irouleguy, with the remnants of a wonderful meal.
2 people found it helpfulJul 18th, 2014
Wonderful wine! Wet almonds, wet stone and lemon. Finishes clean. Interesting white from Basque country.
Wonderful wine! Wet almonds, wet stone and lemon. Finishes clean. Interesting white from Basque country.
2 people found it helpfulMay 20th, 2014
In a great place. Showing some aged character. Great texture and electric acids. Lemony.
In a great place. Showing some aged character. Great texture and electric acids. Lemony.
1 person found it helpfulOct 15th, 2022Love this wine. Nose has lemon and mineral but is a bit cold to assess. Now with air nose is all grapefruit pith and insane other just ripe citrus. Will be back on that. Palate is exceptionally mineral, with juicy Meyer lemon fruit and such acid intensity. Like biting into a sweet high end lemon. Long finish with dazzling purity.
Love this wine. Nose has lemon and mineral but is a bit cold to assess. Now with air nose is all grapefruit pith and insane other just ripe citrus. Will be back on that. Palate is exceptionally mineral, with juicy Meyer lemon fruit and such acid intensity. Like biting into a sweet high end lemon. Long finish with dazzling purity.
1 person found it helpfulSep 5th, 2019