The Hedonistic Taster | № 14 | Arínzano
Navarra, Spain
by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne ML
A Tasse de dégustiation, or tastevin, is a silver tasting cup used by vignerons and negociants in Burgundy to taste wines. Most are presented as christening gifts at birth.
" data-orig-size="289,175" sizes="(max-width: 289px) 100vw, 289px" data-image-title="tastevin" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg" style="border:0;height:auto;max-width:100%;clear:both;display:block;margin:5px auto 10px;border-radius:2px;vertical-align:middle;box-sizing:inherit;" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=289" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2016/04/10/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-1/imgres-4/" alt="Tastevin" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg 289w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=150 150w" class="size-full wp-image-13244 aligncenter" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/imgres.jpg?w=289" />“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
Welcome to The Hedonistic Taster, a binNotes | redThread™ trade sampling of gorgeous, small-lot artisan pours in an intimate tasting format.
The title derives from the term ‘hedonistic tasting,’ coined by legendary Burgundian vigneron Henri Jayer. Santé!
Today’s Tasting:
Arízano lies in the northwestern part of Navarra just east of Rioja Alavesa in Spain.
" data-orig-size="3504,2336" title="propiedad-de-arinzano_puerta" data-image-title="propiedad-de-arinzano_puerta" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/propiedad-de-arinzano_puerta.jpg" style="width: 696px; height: 464px;" itemprop="http://schema.org/image" height="464" width="696" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/propiedad-de-arinzano_puerta.jpg?w=300" data-original-height="464" alt="All doors lead to Arínzano. Image ©Arínzano." data-original-width="696" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"9.5","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS 20D","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1127204303","copyright":"","focal_length":"35","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.0055555555555556","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/propiedad-de-arinzano_puerta.jpg?w=700" /> All doors lead to Arínzano. Image ©Arínzano.Don’t let the fact that Stoli Group owns this bespoke winery fool you. Arínzano boasts both a prestigious pedigree and a bit of renown as northwestern Spain’s first Vino de Pago certified winery. These artfully crafted, limited production wines range in style and price from Grand Cru-quality full-bodied affairs to easy, breezy everyday pours. Below, please find notes from my recent tasting, as well as links to my exclusive interview with Arínzano wine maker and CEO Manuel Louzada. Enjoy!
View my exclusive interview with Arínzano winemaker and CEO Manuel Louzada here.
In 2017, Arínzano Gran Vino Chardonnay was the first white wine, and the first wine from Spain, to win the prestigious Champion Best of Show saddle prize at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition.
" data-orig-size="500,500" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" data-image-title="arinzanogranvino" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/arinzanogranvino-e1487172927309.jpg" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"18","credit":"","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1457553271","copyright":"","focal_length":"70","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.008","title":"","orientation":"1"}" width="300" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/arinzanogranvino-e1487172927309.jpg?w=300&h;=300" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2017/02/21/red-thread-exclusive-manuel-louzada-arinzano-navarra-es/arinzanogranvino/" alt="" height="300" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/arinzanogranvino-e1487172927309.jpg?w=300&h;=300 300w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/arinzanogranvino-e1487172927309.jpg?w=150&h;=150 150w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/arinzanogranvino-e1487172927309.jpg 500w" class="size-medium wp-image-16171" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/arinzanogranvino-e1487172927309.jpg?w=500" />Award-winning Arínzano Gran Vino. Image ©Arínzano.Wine: Arínzano Gran Vino Blanco
Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 13.5%
Suggested Retail: $79.00
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Transparent straw robe.
Nose: Lemon, delicate white flowers, sweet oak notes on the nose.
Palate: Light/medium body, bright acids, mineral core. Energetic approach, unflagging, refined finish.
Suggested Pairing(s): No surprise this wine won the Grand Champion Best of Show at the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition. A suitable wine to spur discussion at any family or business meal, especially with freshly prepared seafood or deftly sauced poultry.
Arínzano claims fame as Northern Spain’s first Vino de Pago designated vineyard.
" data-orig-size="400,600" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" data-image-title="arinzano_gran_vino_2008" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_gran_vino_2008-2.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="200" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_gran_vino_2008-2.png?w=200&h;=300" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2017/04/02/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-14-arinzano-navarra-es/arinzano_gran_vino_2008-2/" alt="" height="300" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_gran_vino_2008-2.png?w=200&h;=300 200w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_gran_vino_2008-2.png?w=100&h;=150 100w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_gran_vino_2008-2.png 400w" class="size-medium wp-image-16401" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_gran_vino_2008-2.png?w=400" />Arínzano Vino de Pago Gran Vino Tinto 2008 is made from 100% Tempranillo.Wine: Arínzano Gran Vino Tinto
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 14%
Suggested Retail: $99.00
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Opaque garnet robe.
Nose: Potpourri, dark fruit, herbaceous notes.
Palate: Medium body, well-timbered tannins, even-keeled acids; dried tea and rosemary on the bouche. Impeccably mannered approach, sustained mid-palate, polite, persistent finish.
Suggested Pairing(s): A serious yet adaptable wine suitable for a wide range of guest affinities, including paleo-loving pork roast or lamb shank, pescatarian-preferred salmon or ahi, and even vegan-friendly stuffed portobello mushrooms.
Arínzano produces this lush 100% Tempranillo rosé at their state-of-the-art enotourism-centric winery in Navarra, Spain
" data-orig-size="400,600" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" data-image-title="arinzano_hacienda_rosado_2015_400x600" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_rosado_2015_400x600.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="200" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_rosado_2015_400x600.png?w=200&h;=300" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2017/04/02/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-14-arinzano-navarra-es/arinzano_hacienda_rosado_2015_400x600/" alt="" height="300" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_rosado_2015_400x600.png?w=200&h;=300 200w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_rosado_2015_400x600.png?w=100&h;=150 100w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_rosado_2015_400x600.png 400w" class="size-medium wp-image-16402" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_rosado_2015_400x600.png?w=400" />Hacienda de Arínzano Rosé is made from 100% Tempranillo.Wine: Hacienda de Arínzano
Vintage: 2015
Alcohol: 13.5%
Suggested Retail: $19.99
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Dusty, translucent rose robe.
Nose: Pampas grass, saline, rosemary, quince notes.
Palate: Pink grapefruit, mimosa, rose petal, white pepper bouche. Light body, vivid acids, attentive finish.
Suggested Pairing(s): For those seeking immediate gratification, serve ice-cold on a hot day deck, dock, patio or poolside, along with a fruit plate or tapas. For more patient quaffers, this wine opens to full-throated fragrance as it warms.
Hacienda de Arínzano wines offer an accessible price point to those seeking an introduction to quality wines.
" data-orig-size="400,600" sizes="(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" data-image-title="arinzano_hacienda_blanco_2014_400x600" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_blanco_2014_400x600.png" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" width="200" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_blanco_2014_400x600.png?w=200&h;=300" data-permalink="https://binnotes.com/2017/04/02/the-hedonistic-taster-%e2%84%96-14-arinzano-navarra-es/arinzano_hacienda_blanco_2014_400x600/" alt="" height="300" srcset="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_blanco_2014_400x600.png?w=200&h;=300 200w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_blanco_2014_400x600.png?w=100&h;=150 100w, https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_blanco_2014_400x600.png 400w" class="size-medium wp-image-16403" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/arinzano_hacienda_blanco_2014_400x600.png?w=400" />Hacienda de Arínzano White wine is made from 100% chardonnay.Wine: Hacienda de Arínzano Blanco
Vintage: 2014
Alcohol: 13.5%
Suggested Retail: $19.99
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Pale golden robe.
Nose: Acacia, hazelnut, almond notes.
Palate: Yellow grapefruit, discrete grass, toasty oak on the bouche; light body, acid plus, slight mineral finish.
Suggested Pairing(s): High quality quaff for the price, perfect for a picnic in the countryside after a long bike ride.
View my exclusive interview with Arínzano winemaker and CEO Manuel Louzada here.
View my exclusive interview on the Spanish Arínzano website here.
Copyrighted 2017 L.M. Archer | binNotes | redThread™. All Rights Reserved.