France — wine

Irouleguy

France's smallest and most geographically dramatic wine appellation, Irouléguy sits on the steep Pyrenean slopes of the Basque Country near Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, producing unique reds, rosés and whites from indigenous Basque varieties — Tannat, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and the rare white Gros Manseng and Courbu. The extreme altitude (200–600m), iron-rich schist and ophite soils, and the distinctive Basque climate create wines of powerful character, mineral depth and authentic regional identity found nowhere else in France.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Outstanding Basque Pyrenean year; Irouléguy Tannat and Cabernet Franc of remarkable freshness and mineral depth
2022 Good mountain year; concentrated Tannat with the characteristic iron-schist mineral of the Pyrenean foothill soils
2021 Elegant and precise; fine balance of Tannat tannin and fresh Cab Franc in the classic Irouléguy blend
2020 Reliable Basque year; authentic iron-mineral character across red and white Irouléguy expressions
2019 One of Irouléguy's finest vintages; concentrated, age-worthy Tannat blends of benchmark mountain character