Ameztoi Unicus 2015 Brut Nature Sparkling Wine

This is made with old vine Hondarribi Zuri that was made like a Champagne with 72 months on its lees and disgorged without dosage. The nose shows a fun mix of cream, citrus, Mirabelle plum, beeswax, and sea spray. The palate has a textured character to it with spice, yellow plum, citrus, and a light salt note on the finish. This would go great with seafood or lightly spicy dishes. - D&M TASTING NOTES

DISTRIBUTOR NOTES:

WINE PROFILE: “Unicus is a bottle-fermented sparkling wine made from select parcels of old-vine hondarrabi zuri grapes, located in some of the best positions 200m above the villages of Getaria and Zarautz, ancient Basque fishing villages on Spain’s rugged northern coast. Unicus is hand-disgorged after extensive lees-aging (6 years) in bottle and will improve with further cellaring.”

VINIFICATION: “Grapes are carefully handpicked ten days early to ensure lower base alcohol. After a direct pressing in an inert bladder press, spontaneous alcoholic fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. The wine ages for a year in old, 600L foudres before bottling, where secondary fermentation takes place with selected autochthonous yeasts and concentrated grape must from their vineyards. Unicus is aged on the lees in bottle for six years before hand-disgorgement. Bottled unfiltered without dosage.”

QUICK FACTS:

Site: Getaria and Zarautz at 150-200m

Grapes: 100% Hondarrabi Zuri

Vine Age: 70+ years old

Soil: Clay calcareous

Vinification: Direct press in a bladder press, primary alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks

Secondary Fermentation: Méthode Champenoise with liqueur de tirage from concentrated grape musts from their own vineyards

Aging: 12 months in used 600L barrels and six years in bottle sur latte on the lees

Filtration: None

Dosage: None

Farming: Practicing Organic

Vegan: Yes

Production: 7500 bottles