2023 Jean Claude Berrouet, Irouleguy, Herri Mina Blanc

Jean-Claude Berrouet’s Herri Mina Blanc is a direct expression of the Basque Country’s rugged terrain, emerging from steep, south-facing slopes in Irouléguy where the vines are rooted in red sandstone. The blend—composed primarily of Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu, and Petit Manseng—is manually harvested and sorted, then vinified with a combination of 300-liter oak barrels and stainless steel to ensure structural precision. In the 2023 vintage, the climatic conditions of the Pyrenees foothills favored steady physiological development, allowing the indigenous varieties to achieve complete ripeness while retaining their signature tensile acidity. The resulting wine is defined by its architectural density and nerve, showcasing a fine-grained texture and sustained mineral tension that reflects the site’s distinct Atlantic influence.