Malkoa 2017 is one of the most unique and ambitious whites produced in the Basque Country, crafted by Astobiza under the D.O. Arabako Txakolina. This wine comes from a single plot of Hondarrabi Zuri, planted in 1996 in the Ayala Valley, Alava. Its name, "Malkoa," meaning "tear" in Basque, makes it a wonderful representation of Basque character. Unlike the style of young txakoli, this wine is conceived as an aging white. The grapes are harvested at a more advanced ripeness and the wine is fermented for 18 to 20 months on its fine lees in oval concrete tanks, where a natural movement is maintained thanks to the temperature variations of the environment. This process is completed with a long aging in the bottle that gives it great complexity and depth. On the nose, Malkoa 2017 unfolds a symphony of complex and elegant aromas including grapefruit, ripe citrus, aromatic herbs, spices, and subtle balsamic notes. On the palate, it is powerful, long, and structured, with notable Atlantic freshness. The aging on lees provides a creamy texture and great potential for evolution in bottle. The finish is salty, persistent, and highly gastronomic, making it an ideal wine to pair with oysters, seafood, caviar, and fatty fish like turbot or sea bream.