Oxer Bastegieta: The Story Continues

Oxer Bastegieta: The Story Continues.

What a privilege to return to the famous winemaker Oxer Bastegieta and continue our admiration for this unique individual at yet another excellent masterclass that was hosted by Wijnhandel 12% of meer, in collaboration with Wijnjunkie. This time the masterclass took place in a unique location in Breda where DWA was invited amongst well known and respected colleagues from the industry. 

As before (read about our previous encounter here), the lineup was carefully curated and promised mouthwatering wines that go beyond the instant gratification of the experience but rather bring you memories. Words are not enough to describe Oxer Bastegieta. Carefully crafted sentences do not do the man justice. 

It will be a privilege for everyone to meet this man in the flesh, to experience his passion, his purity, and his energy and dedicated in the flesh. His expression fills the room, and it goes without saying that this very much characterizes his wine. He speaks in a poetic way, and his wines attest to this. “I’m here to irrigate the souls’ he said upon starting. Promising more than just a masterclass. 

A Little Background Story 

Oxer does not come from a family of winemakers. What he represents today, he himself has built over the years. Where most go left, he goes right. He is not a man to follow the stream. And although respects tradition and holds it in high regards; he himself is driven by a passion to innovate, to experiment, and to go beyond the customs and the tradition of the regions, plots, and places he finds himself in. He cares for the soil and collaborates with it as one. Not just talking about it. Rather co-working and co-creating. 

“In the winery; less is more, but it requires a lot of precision.”

For Oxer; wine is about creating memories. This philosophy runs through everything he creates. His labels are not branding tools, but extensions of his identity. You can almost say they are visual reflections of the landscapes, dreams, and people or experiences that shape him. The labels invite you; they intrigue you and they go against the stream of old classic French labels that dominate tradition. You can like them or you don’t, but for sure there is not a way around them. 

Oxer’s wines resist easy classification. They are not bound by regional expectations or stylistic conventions but instead guided by instinct and created with an almost obsessive level of precision. And although his winery is growing, Oxer stays true to doing a lot himself. It is almost as if he defies the principles of time and has a little bit of extra hours each day on top of the ‘standard 24 we all experience. 

To really understand the complexity, gravity, and uniqueness of the wines, one must taste them. This time around we were privileged yet again with an exquisite line up of eleven beautiful wines curated with care. 

Tasting Oxer: A Study in Energy, Texture and Place

Below an impression of the wines we tasted together with Oxer. Including our tasting notes and ratings.

Marko Gure Arbasoak 2024, Bizkaiko Txakolina (Premier Cru – Salinity and Precision) 

DWA Score: 93/100

A wine that immediately captures the Atlantic character of northern Spain. Marko Gure Arbasoak (loosely translated as “the legacy of our ancestors”) is a precise and elevated interpretation of Txakolina, far beyond the region’s more commonly associated light style. In the glass, it shows a bright, pale straw color with silvery reflections. The nose is reminiscent of the sea. Saline minerality and wet stone layered with green olive the freshness of lime and citrus. This is a characterful, precision-driven Txakolina that redefines the expectations of the region. This is not a simple aperitif wine, but a serious, terroir-expressive white with energy, tension and remarkable clarity.

Marko Terlegiz 2023, Bizkaiko Txakolina (Grand Cru – Structure and Earth)

DWA Score: 95/100

With Marko Terlegiz, Oxer Bastegieta explores the deeper, more structured side of Txakolina, crafting a wine that combines Atlantic freshness with notable complexity and texture. Sourced from carefully selected parcels and built around local varieties, this cuvée reflects both place and precision. In the glass, it shows a slightly deeper straw hue, hinting at its added concentration. The nose is layered and evolving. Earth, stone and herbs coexist along the subtle fruitiness of apple and citrus. On the palate, the wine reveals its “Grand Cru” character through structure and depth. A broader mid-palate gives way to a firm acid backbone, creating a compelling balance between richness and tension. A more serious and contemplative expression of Txakolina — structured, layered and quietly powerful. 

Gaxen 2024, Rioja (The Unrecognizable Rioja)

DWA Score: 95/100

A wine that challenges every preconceived notion of Rioja. Gaxen 2024 is a strikingly unconventional expression. One that, when tasted blind, rarely gets identified as coming from the region at all. Instead, it speaks a language of energy, purity and freedom. True to the philosophy of Oxer. In the glass, it shows a bright, translucent ruby colour, hinting at its lighter extraction and focus on finesse. The nose is immediately lifted and vibrant: wild strawberry, raspberry and pomegranate are layered with subtle floral notes. There is a delicate herbal undertone, adding freshness and complexity. On the palate, the wine is light-bodied yet intensely expressive. Fine, silky tannins provide just enough structure without weighing the wine down. 

There is a clear stylistic departure from traditional Rioja. Instead, the wine leans towards a more Burgundian profile, emphasizing elegance, drinkability and nuance over power and oak. This wine is a bold and refreshing reinterpretation of Rioja.

Ahari 2023 Rioja (Old Vine Tempranillo – Freshness Redefined)

DWA Score: 94/100

With Ahari 2023, Oxer Bastegieta offers a refined and expressive interpretation of old-vine Tempranillo. In the glass, the wine shows a clear, medium ruby colour. The nose is both aromatic and layered: violet and dried rose petals lead, notes of black tea and truffle with subtle hints of red and dark fruit. On the palate, Ahari is strikingly balanced. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. The texture is supple and refined, allowing the wine’s aromatic complexity to unfold gradually. Interestingly; there is a notable departure from the more robust, oak-driven styles often associated with Rioja. Instead, this wine leans towards finesse and transparency, with an almost Pinot Noir-like elegance, while still retaining the depth and identity of Tempranillo.

Suzzane 2023, Toro (Rioja Alta – Old Vines, Deep Expression) 

DWA Score: 94/100

With Suzzane 2023, Oxer Bastegieta demonstrates how old vines and careful site selection can translate into both depth and elegance, even within a traditionally powerful region like Toro. In the glass, the wine shows a deep ruby core. The nose is expressive and layered: violet, black cherry and blackberry intertwine with hints of dried herbs and spices. On the palate, the wine is structured yet remarkably composed. Ripe dark fruit is supported by fine-grained tannins. Despite its concentration, the wine avoids heaviness, maintaining a refined and polished profile. This wine is a powerful yet elegant expression of old-vine fruit, where depth is matched by balance and precision. A Toro with restraint and sophistication.

Kuusu 2024, Toro outside DO (Rethinking Toro)

DWA Score: 96/100

Kuusu 2024 is Oxer’s reinterpretation of Toro. One that deliberately steps outside the region’s conventions to explore a lighter, more agile expression. In the glass, it presents a vibrant ruby colour with excellent clarity. The nose is lifted and aromatic: red flowers, wild strawberry, raspberry and a touch of herbs. There is an immediate sense of freshness and openness. On the palate, the wine is fluid and energetic, driven by bright acidity and silky tannins. At just 13.5% alcohol, it feels remarkably light for Toro, emphasizing drinkability over power. The texture is soft yet precise, allowing the floral and red fruit notes to shine.

“This wine invites you to drink”

This wine is an unconventional take on Toro. Kuusu 2024 prioritizes finesse, energy and accessibility, redefining what the region can be.

Manttoni 2024, Rioja (Co-plantation – Complexity from Coexistence)

DWA Score: 96/100

Manttoni 2024 is a compelling example of co-plantation, where white and red varieties are grown, harvested and fermented together, creating a natural harmony that is rarely achieved through blending alone. In the glass, the wine shows a translucent ruby color. The nose is intricate and evolving: white pepper, dried herbs, red berries and subtle spices. On the palate, the wine is structured yet dynamic. There is a clear tension between freshness and depth, supported by fine tannins and a lively acid backbone. The co-fermentation brings a seamless integration of flavors, resulting in a wine that feels both complex and cohesive. Only one 600L barrel was produced, underscoring its rarity and artisanal nature. An intellectual highly distinctive wine. Manttoni 2024 showcases the beauty of co-plantation: complex, layered and deeply expressive.

Tartalo 2023, Rioja (Single Vineyard – The Exception)

DWA Score: 97/100

An exception within Oxer’s philosophy, Tartalo 2023 is a single-vineyard expression that highlights the purity and identity of a singular site. In the glass, it reveals a deep yet luminous ruby color. The nose is precise and aromatic: rosemary, thyme and wild herbs are combined with red and dark fruit. On the palate, the wine is both structured and refined. A chalky minerality defines the texture, while beautifully rounded tannins provide elegance and balance. Sourced from Tempranillo vines planted in 1920, the wine carries both concentration and remarkable finesse. This is a wine that is pure and graceful and it proves that a single vineyard, in the right hands, can deliver both power and precision at the highest level.

Iraun 2024, Rioja (Premier Cru – Mineral Longevity)

DWA Score: 94/100

Iraun 2024 is built around longevity and structure, offering a mineral-driven expression designed to evolve over time. In the glass, it shows a bright, focused ruby colour. The nose is dominated by mineral and herbal notes. Stone, wild herbs, fresh grass and subtle citrus touch. The structure is firm yet elegant, with fine tannins and a clear sense of direction. This wine is built for ageing and evolution. Iraun 2024 is precise, structured and deeply terroir-driven.

Kalamity Tinto 2024, Rioja (Poetry in Motion)

DWA Score: 99/100

Kalamity Tinto stands as the philosophical and qualitative pinnacle of Oxer Bastegieta’s work. “Second order in chaos.”

In the glass, it shows a deep, vibrant ruby colour. The nose is extraordinarily complex: black cherry, wild herbs, violets, spice, and graphite unfold in layers, continuously evolving with air. On the palate, the wine achieves a rare balance between power and weightlessness. The structure is seamless, with ultra-fine tannins and a perfectly integrated acidity that carries the wine effortlessly across the palate. Every element feels in harmony. The finish is exceptionally long, echoing with dark fruit, minerality, and subtle floral notes. A benchmark of a wine and a true masterpiece. Kalamity Tinto 2024 is not only a wine, but a statement: it is poetic, precise and profoundly exceptional!

Kalamity Blanco 2024, Rioja (Precision and Elegance)

DWA Score: 96/100

Kalamity Blanco represents the white counterpart to Oxer’s flagship wine, crafted from the same co-planted vineyard. In the glass, it shows a bright straw color with subtle golden reflections. The nose is intensely floral: white blossom, chamomile and delicate stone fruit are layered with a saline, mineral edge. On the palate, the wine is both textural and precise. The balance between elegance and intensity is striking. The finish is long, refined and quietly powerful, leaving a lasting impression of florals, minerality and subtle spice. This wine is a Grand Cru-level white that combines finesse with depth. Kalamity Blanco 2024 is elegant, expressive, and profoundly complete. Ab-solutely stunning!!

The Wines of Oxer: Emotion in Motion

In the end, what makes Oxer Bastegieta so compelling is not just the quality of his wines, but the philosophy and emotion behind them. Every bottle presented during this masterclass carried a remarkable sense of purpose. Whether from Rioja, Toro or Bizkaiko Txakolina, the wines shared a common thread of energy, precision and authenticity, while still expressing their own individual identity.

Oxer continues to challenge convention without ever losing sight of balance or terroir. His wines are thoughtful yet approachable, layered yet incredibly alive. They do not seek to follow trends or satisfy expectations. Instead, they invite curiosity, conversation and reflection. And perhaps that is exactly why they leave such a lasting impression.

What this masterclass once again confirmed is that Oxer Bastegieta is not simply crafting wine, but creating experiences and memories through wine. In an industry often dominated by repetition and predictability, his work feels refreshingly personal and fearless.

For Dutch Wine Apprentice, it was a privilege to once again step into Oxer’s world and experience these wines firsthand. And if this tasting proved anything, it is that the story of Oxer Bastegieta is still evolving — and becoming more fascinating with every vintage.

This article is written by our own Eline de Geus. We would like to thank Oxer Bastegieta of Oxer Wines, and Monique Vreeke of 12% of Meer and Gerlinde from Wijnjunkie for the exquisite experience and memorable masterclass. Oxer’s wines are available in the Netherlands through 12% of Meer.