Santa Cruz de Artazu blanco 2019

The Santa Cruz de Artazu blanco 2019 is a dry white wine made from Grenache blanc, named after the Santa Cruz vineyard in Navarra's Valdizarbe. It favors clarity over richness: yellow apple, pear, citrus zest and white blossom, with a hint of fennel and chalky minerality. The 13.0% ABV stays unobtrusive.

Valdizarbe is Navarra's northernmost corner, where Atlantic winds meet the coolness of the Pyrenees. The vineyards lie at 450 to 600 meters above sea level on limestone-clay and sandy soils; the pronounced day-night temperature swings preserve acidity and freshness in the grapes. The Santa Cruz vineyard holds pre-phylloxera vines, over a hundred years old and still on their own roots.

Grenache blanc is the white mutation of Garnacha, a variety long used in Navarra only for rosé. In 1996, Juan Carlos López de Lacalle bought the derelict village cooperative of Artazu, encouraged by Randall Graham of California's Bonny Doon winery; the estate has farmed biodynamically since 2011. Vinification takes place in 500-liter barrels, which keep the oak restrained and give the fruit room to shine.

Taut and dry, with vibrant acidity, fine texture and a saline-mineral finish.

With grilled sea bass with fennel, roasted cauliflower with almonds, seafood paella and soft goat cheese. It also pairs well with mushroom dishes and chicken in lemon-thyme jus.

Biodynamic farming since 2011; bush vines over 60 years old growing up to 600 meters above sea level, with ungrafted, pre-phylloxera vines at Santa Cruz.