Tonight, in search of a robust but acidic red wine to serve with baked three-cheese lasagne, I emerged from the cellar with a bottle brought back from Berkeley this summer during the Farewell Rahsaan jeebus. The 2005 Dom. Etxegaraya Irouleguy is 13% ABV, 60% Tannat and 40% Cab Franc. Even when I thought that I was drinking varietal Tannat, this wine had me thinking young Cab Franc with its leafy, bright red fruit and lighter body. The tannins, while chalky, were still present enough to convince me of the presence of Tannat, but it was quite sprightly and drinkable and the tail-end bitterness was a welcome presence. Quite nice for my first Irouleguy and enough to make me look for the Lehengoa in future shopping expeditions.
Mark Lipton
Mark Lipton