Tantaka - Arabako Txakolina

Serious Txakolina from the Arabako DO (Álava in Spanish).  Organically farmed and naturally made by Juanjo Tellaetxe, on land his family has owned since time immemorial.  Juanjo’s vineyards are located in the village of Artomaña in the Ayala (Aiara in Euskara) municipality of Álava.  Juanjo’s goal is to produce “honest wines with a deep, local character… avoiding manipulation and masking”.  His dedication to Tantaka is second only to his first devotion, his role as priest in the local villages.

Tantaka Txakoli Blanco 2022

100% Hondarrabi Zuri from 13-year-old vines at 330 meters in Juanjo’s 4 small family plots totaling 4.6 hectares.  Harvested by hand.

Winemaking: A gentle pressing, spontaneous fermentation, and aged on the lees for 5 months in stainless steel of 2,500L.  Bottled May 23, 2023.

Production: 2,525 cases

Tantaka Txakoli Tinto 2022

100% Hondarrabi Beltza from 5-year-old vines at 320 meters in Juanjo’s 4 small family plots totaling 4.6 hectares.  Harvested by hand.

Winemaking: A gentle pressing, spontaneous fermentation, and aged for 5 months in stainless steel of 2,500L. Bottled December 30, 2023.

Production: 3,300 bottles (504 bottles imported)

Decanter 92 - Tantaka Txakoli Blanco 2022

My Top 20 Txakoli by: Beth Willard

With a minimal-intervention approach to his winemaking, Juanjo Tellaetxe has produced a very pure expression of Hondarrabi Zuri from the Arrastaria valley, south of Bilbao.  Fermented in stainless steel, this spends about five months on the lees, adding weight without losing any of the bright, green apple, grapefruit, and floral aromas.  A little spice on an aniseed finish.  A very gastronomic wine.

Peñín 93 - Tantaka Blanco 2022

Color: Bright straw.  Nose: Fragrant herbs, fine lees, white fruit, dried herbs.  Palate: Full-bodied, good acidity, flavourful.

Peñín 91 - Tantaka Tinto 2021

Color: Bright cherry.  Nose: Balsamic herbs, scrubland, red berry notes, earthy notes, burnt matches.  Palate: Spicy, balsamic, good acidity.