No more than 10 kilometers from the Spanish border, Domaine Ilarria sits in a part of France that is decidedly Basque.  The dry, rolling foothills of the Pyrenees mountains provide the limestone slopes for some 10 hectares of terraced vineyards.  Peio Espil is the third generation owner, humbly working this land by hand without the use of chemicals. 

This flagship red is composed partly of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, but the major portion is the tannic local grape Tannat which lends its earthy spice and meaty depth to the wine.  This is not a polished Bordeaux blend, but a more rustic country wine evocative of the sun-drenched Basque hills that are its home. 

Grapes: 55% Tannat, 30% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

Viticulture: Organic with some Biodynamic treatments 

Soils: Gravely limestone and clay steeply terraced into Pyrenees foothills 

Pairing: Merguez Sausage, Roasted Lamb with root vegetables