Bodega K5
Kaiaren Getariako Txakolina – 2016
Region: Spain - País Vasco
Bodega K5
K5 Argiñano is a modern vineyard estate located on a hillside near the Basque village of Aia at 1000 feet above sea level overlooking the Cantabrian seaports of Zarautz and Orio.
Founded in 2005 by Spanish celebrity chef Karlos Argiñano and four partners, K5 is focused on showcasing the noble and age worthy quality of the indigenous Hondarribi Zuri and its ability to produce extracted, super-dry, mineral driven whites worthy of the finest table. The ultra-modern, gravity-flow bodega (designed by the famous architectural firm Alonso & Balaguer) is ideally matched to its environment and offers sweeping views of the surrounding countryside and seacoast. The first vintage was released in 2010.
The property totals 30 ha (74 acres) in total with 15 ha (37 acres) of dry farmed vineyards planted on slate and granite soils to the native grape, Hondarribi Zuri. Yields are limited to under 2 kilos per vine. The wine is aged for six months on the fine lees for complexity.
The remaining 15 ha (37 acres) are comprised of forests and the little paths surrounding the cellar, full of beech, chestnut and oak trees.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
K5 estate vineyard near Aia village in Basque Country, D.O. Getariako Txakolina.
- Vineyard Area: 37 acres/15 ha
- Altitude: 985 feet/300 meters
- Soil: Granite with slate schists, rugged with steep slopes & varied exposures
- Climate: Atlantic with high rainfall and slow ripening
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested at beginning of Fall, careful bunch selection
- Grapes arrive by gravity flow only
- Cold prefermative maceration
- Free run juice fermented in stainless steel tanks using only indigenous yeasts
- Extended aging – 48 months on lees in 5500 liter stainless tanks, as natural autolysis of the fermenting yeast creates complexity and richer flavor components
- Aged 24 months in bottle
Winemaker's Notes
Brilliant, clear yellow with golden sparkles. High intensity aromas of minerals from the terroir and white flowers. A touch of smokiness and incense. A complex and full bodied wine, with pastry and toasted notes, complimented by the hint of gunpowder, characteristic of long bottle aging. Remains fresh with lively acidity.
Wine Summary
100% Hondarrabi Zuri; alcohol: 12%; estate parcel near Aia village in Basque Country, D.O. Getariako Txakolina; 985 feet planted on steep slopes in granite with slate schists; hand harvested with careful bunch selection; grapes transported only via gravity flow; free run juice fermented in stainless steel tanks using only indigenous yeasts; aged 48 months in tank on lees, enhancing complexity and richness; aged 24 months in bottle.
Technical Information
- 100% Hondarrabi Zuri
- Alcohol: 12%
Reviews
93 Points
Complex nose with delicate honey and quince aromas, while the palate is creamy and rich with ripe stone fruit, balanced by defined salinity and a mineral finish. This is a wine intended to age, and it is certainly coming into its own right now. A delicious example of Hondarrabi Zuri with extended time on lees in barrel (four years) then a further two years in bottle before its release in spring 2023. 2024 – 2026
Decanter, December, 2024
90 Points
Complexity for the variety reveals the transformative power of long aging. Floral lift, mineral length and a combination of spices and toasty notes wash through a mouthwatering, long finish.
Wine Enthusiast, April, 2025
92 Points
An unusual 100% Hondarrabi Zuri aged for four years on fine lees in barrel with further ageing in bottle before release. It’s a great example of aged Txakolí with a creamy, rich
texture but not overdone. There’s a touch of stone fruit, and the palate is underpinned with wet stone and mineral notes. Ready to drink now.
Tim Atkin MW-timatkin.com, September, 2024
92 Points
A graceful white that shows length and poise, with flint and floral accents to the flavors of baked melon, yellow peach, pear, preserved lemon and toasted almond. Well-integrated acidity defines the focused flavor range through the lingering finish. Drink now through 2030.
Wine Spectator, August, 2025
93 Points
An aged wine with aromas of limes, toast and a touch of green apples. The palate is sharp, with incisive acidity that turns to beautiful stone fruit flavors. This is balanced and immovable, showing very few signs of evolution. It demonstrates the capacity of these wines to age. Drink or hold.
jamessuckling.com, July, 2025
95 Points
The surprising 2016 Kaiaren comes from a lot destined to the regular K5, 5,500 liters that were kept with lees in tank for 48 months without bâtonnage to showcase the aging potential of the wines. It comes in at 12% alcohol, with a pH of 3.1 and 7.3 grams of acidity. It was a relatively mild and humid year with more than 1,600 liters of rain. The wine is really surprising; it’s aromatic, elegant, nuanced, complex and serious, keeping the herbal and citrus character, with a fresh and balanced mouthfeel, sapid and with a long, precise and salty finish. 6,700 bottles produced. It was bottled in March 2021. 2024 – 2039
© Wine Advocate, June, 2026
General Info
| COUNTRY | Spain |
| REGION | País Vasco |
| APPELLATION | D.O.C. Getariako Txakolina |
| PROPRIETORS | Karlos Argiñano and two partners |
| FOUNDED | 2005 |
| WINEMAKER | Lauren Rosillo |
| ANNUAL PRODUCTION | 4200 9L cases |
| FARMING (SUSTAINABLE, ORGANIC, BIODYNAMIC) | Sustainable |