89 Points - Parker
Notes
A wine dedicated to Gonzalo's second daughter, Daniela, born in 2015 during the grape harvest (of course, it couldn't be any other way says Gonzalo) and her birth wasn't an easy one, nothing serious but it definitely was nerve wracking.
As time passed Gonzalo began to realize the "volcano of expression" that Daniela is; with shouts, cheerful yips, laughter, and above all an infectious happiness that follows and leaves a wake of smiles wherever she goes...effectively a hurricane of emotions.
This white blend, dedicated to Daniela, is intense, but with a flurry of nuanced expression all tied together with time spent aging on its lees in order to add strength and depth. The cherry on top, which completes the dedication, is the aging in clay amphoras which helps the wine age in a particularly unique way, highlighting and strengthening its character.
Made with Garnacha Blanca, Viura, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc, the vineyards sit between 400-500 meters altitude in the municipality of San Martin de Unx, Navarra. Naturally fermented and aged on its lees in clay tinajas (amphoras) for 5 months. Certified organic and low-intervention, this wine along with all of Gonzalo's is made with respect for the environment.
Straw yellow colour with green highlights, vibrant. The aromas are very refined, not intense but with lots of depth and elegance, hints of apricot and peach, anis, and a mineral background...the wine opens up with some time in the glass. On the palate its intense, it fills and coats the mouth with a creamy texture, lots of stone fruit flavour, the lees are noticeable, great structure, acidity and crisp mineral finish with lasting complexity.
Facts
Annual Production: 4500 bottles (The club has access to 300 annually)
Type: White
Body: Light
Palate: Dry
Finish: fruity, fresh, and intense
Grape Variety: 70% Garnacha Blanca, Viura, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc
Viticulture / Farming: Certified Organic Farming - Terroir Driven
ABV%: 14
Ageing: 5 months on lees in clay tinajas (amphoras)
Winemaker: Gonzalo Celayeta
Bodega: Gonzalo Celayeta Wines
Region: near San Martin de Unx, Navarra
Designation of Origin: DO Navarra
Micro-Climate: Continental - hot and dry summers and cold in the winters
Elevation: 400-500 meters above sea level
Age of Vines: Unknown
Soil: clay and calcareous rock
Tips
- Drink now or keep for up to 3 years
- No decanting necessary, just uncork 15-20 minutes before serving
- Pairs well with almost any dish including Tapas, Manchego or any cheese (cow, goat or sheep), any fish or seafood, Poultry, Pasta or Pizza, all Mediterranean and Asian rice-based dishes spiced but not too hot, and it even pairs with stews and grilled meats - super versatile.
- Ideally served well chilled
Terroir
The vineyards are situated slightly above the foothills of Guerinda mountain range in the lower part of the municipality of San Martin de Unx, Navarra. The Navarra region is in northern Spain, bordering La Rioja, and is considered an exceptional terroir for Garnacha. The vines grow in semi fertile calcareous soil with some clay. The area has hot and dry summer days with cool nights thanks to the elevation. The winters are cold but temperatures rarely dip below -2ºC.
Vinification
Naturally fermented and aged on lees in clay amphoras for 5 months. Made with respect for the environment and the land. Certified Organic, low intervention, no clarification or filtration, and almost no sulphites.
Winemaker
Gonzalo Celayeta is good friends with Luis Moya Tortosa of LMT Wines, and they often work on joint projects together such as Kimera.
Gonzalo Celayeta was born and raised in Olite, Navarra, and has been working in the wine world for two decades. After obtaining his degree at the Institute of Viticulture and Oenology of Navarra (EVENA) he worked at and consulted for several wineries in the area. In 2004 he started his personal project “Gonzalo Celayeta Wines” and at the same time served as the technical director of Bodegas San Martín in Navarra.
His project started small, Gonzalo is highly selective with what wines he releases including some limited editions never to be produced again. This slow and thoughtful process of winemaking allowed Gonzalo to develop his project with a personal touch, always striving to produce excellent wines that have meaningful stories behind them.
The wines are always produced in small quantities, following very natural and traditional methods of low-intervention and with great respect for the environment. The focus is always to transmit the history, culture, stories, and character of this small area of Navarra. Gonzalo Celayeta’s wines are very gastronomic, more at home on a dining table than a bartop, they are refined and age beautifully.
Ratings & Reviews
89 Points - Luis Gutiérrez Santo Domingo (Wine Advocate, Robert Parker)
"The white 2019 Huracán Daniela is a blend of Garnacha Blanca, Viura, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc fermented and aged with lees in a tinaja (clay amphorae) for five months. It's young and tender, fruit-driven with some white flower notes and a bit of a reductive character, with some complexity and going beyond the varieties. It has moderate alcohol and ripeness and soft acidity, coming through as soft and easy to drink. 4,700 bottles produced. It was bottled in February 2020."
