Best Low-Alcohol Whites
Ameztoi 2005
Getariako Txakolina
11% alc., $17
With light spritz and wieghtless, dry mineral flavors, wine from Txakoli in Spain's Basque country are the sort that can weather endless rounds of tapas - and make it possible for you to, as well. T.Q.T. (Fall 2006 Special Issue)
From The Wine Advocate
2009 Ameztoi Txakolina
Getariako Txakolina, Pais Vasco, Spain
$19
Ameztoi’s 2009 Txakolina is light straw-colored with a come hither nose of mineral, green apple, citrus, and sea salt. Crisp and vibrant on the palate with residual CO2 livening things up, this dry, intense offering will drink well for another 12-18 months. Score: 90 -J.M. (WA #188, Apr 2010)
2009 Ameztoi Rubentis Txakolina
Getariako Txakolina, Pais Vasco, Spain
$19
The 2009 Rubentis Txakolina is made from 50% Hondarribi Beltzai and 50% Hondarribi Zuri fermented in stainless steel. Light pink in color, it displays a reticent perfume of cherry blossom and strawberry. On the palate it is light and crisp with a bit of residual CO2 giving it lift. However, if the truth be told, there are far better places to look for Spanish Rose in the 2009 vintage. That said, there is no substitute for Txakoli and in 2009 conditions were close to ideal. Score: 86 -J.M. (WA #188, Apr 2010)
86 points
2005 Ameztoi Txakolina
Ameztoi
Getariako Txakolina
$16.00
This wine could easily be mistaken for a top-shelf Alsace Riesling. The 2005 Txakolina, made from 90% Hondarribi Zuri and 10% Hondarribi Beltza, is fermented and raised in stainless steel. Its crisp lemon/lime flavors receive additional lift from trapped CO2. Ideal with shellfish, it should be drunk over the next 1-2 years. –J.M. (eRobertParker.com, 2-28-07)
88 points
2005 Ameztoi Upelean Hartzitua Txakolina
Ameztoi
Getariako Txakolina
$16.00
This wine could easily be mistaken for a top-shelf Alsace Riesling. The 2005 Upelean Hartzitua Txakolina is the same blend as the Txakolina but fermented and aged in old foudres. This wine is a selection of the best of seven such foudres in the cellar. It offers additional breadth and richness on the palate. –J.M. (eRobertParker.com, 2-28-07)
87 points
2005 Xarmant Txakolina
Arabako Txakolina
Arabako Txakolina
$13.00
Arabako Txakolina, the only significant producer in the D.O. of the same name, is a co-op of 12 growers. The 2005 Xarmant is made from 80% Hondarribi Zuri and 20% Hondarribi Zuri Zerratia and fermented in stainless steel using indigenous yeasts. It is medium straw in color with lemon/lime aromatics and flavors and a hint of minerality in the background. The finish is dry, crisp, and medium long. This excellent value should be drunk over the next 1-2 years. –J.M. (eRobertParker.com, 2-28-07)
2008 Ameztoi Rubentis Getariako Txakolina
90 Points
($19) Pale straw. Lime, grapefruit and white flowers on the nose, with a spicy mineral underpinning. Dry and sharply focused, offering tangy citrus and green apple flavors and a strong note of bitter quinine. A deeper pear skin note arrives on the finish, which is nervy, focused and very persistent.- J.R.(International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2009)
90 Points
2007 Ameztoi Txakoli
Getariako Txakolina
$22; 90% hondarrabi zuri and 10% hondarrabi beltza, the latter a red grape
Pale yellow. Spicy lemon and pear aromas are underscored by talc and quinine. Pleasant bitter, light-bodied citrus and green apple flavors pick up salty minerality with air. Refreshing and extremely easy to drink, this would be great with a light shrimp or clam dish. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar 9/08)
91 Points
2007 Ameztoi Upelean Hartzitua
Getariako Txakolina
$22; 90% hondarrabi zuri and 10% hondarrabi beltza; just 10.5% alcohol
Limpid straw color. Lime, grapefruit and talc on the nose, with subtle jasmine and white pepper qualities. Light and refreshingly bitter, with precise citrus and mineral flavors braced by juicy acidity. Taut and incisive on the spicy, gently tart finish. I get more depth and texture here than I did from the previous wine. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar 9/08)
90 Points
2007 Ameztoi Rubentis
Getariako Txakolina
$22; a 50/50 blend of hondarrabis zuri and beltza
Pale pink. Fresh redcurrant, strawberry and lime aromas are complicated by chalky minerals and white flowers. Light and crisp, with concentrated red berry and ruby-red grapefruit flavors and gentle back-end minerality. More gentle than usual for this wine but far from soft, with sweet finishing notes of strawberry and raspberry and a late jolt of lemon zest. This is way too easy to drink. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar 9/08)
92 Points
2006 Ameztoi Txakolina
Getariako Txakolina
$17; 11% alcohol Light straw. Lime, grapefruit, jasmine and anise on the nose, with impeccably pure minerality. Racy, sharply defined citrus and pear flavors offer impressive cut and palate-staining concentration without any impression of weight. Finishes with outstanding thrust, clarity and remarkable persistence. With its captivating mineral and floral character, and impeccable balance, I could drink this by the hectoliter. Wow! - S.T. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 07)
93 Points
2006 Ameztoi Rubentis Txakolina
Getariako Txakolina
$17; a 50/50 blend of hondarribi beltza and hondarribi zuri, for those keeping score Pale pink. Ethereal lime, blood orange, redcurrant, white flower and mineral aromas offer remarkable precision. Weightless, lightly spritzy citrus pith and wild strawberry flavors are deepened by a cherry pit quality that insinuates rather than declares itself. If this were from Champagne, with this clarity and precision it would cost $300. Spring this on your friends who find red Txakoli too mainstream. - S.T. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 07)
90 Points
Ameztoi
Txakolina 2005
Getariako Txakolina
90
$16
Bright yellow. Nervy and focused on the nose, with aromas of lemon and lime zest, grapefruit, minerals and jasmine. Firm, racy and concentrated, showing superb energy and thrust and powerful citrus flavors. Finishes with building citrus flavors and excellent persistence. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2006)
91 Points
Ameztoi
Upelean Hartzitua Txakolina 2005
Getariako Txakolina
91
$16
Bright straw color. Complex, seductive scents of fresh flowers, apple, pear and melon. Juicy and intensely flavored, with excellent precision and structure. The fresh orchard and melon flavors pick up more tangy and mineral-tinged qualities with air. This really clings on the finish, showing impressive vibrancy and focus, not mention superb length. I could drink this by the gallon, and might just try it. -J.R. (International Wine Cellar Sept/Oct 2006)
88 Points
Ameztoi
Txakoli 2003
Getariako Txakolina
$15
Pungent aromas of lemon pith, pink grapefruit, minerals and fresh herbs. Saline, stony, dry and intense, but with supple texture and piquant suggestions of pink grapefruit. Kept fresh by some unabsorbed CO2. A serious white wine that finishes with earthy and saline notes and a good grip. -S.T. (International Wine Cellar September/October 2004, #116)
