The "new wave" Argentinian wines continue to deliver on the promise of this extreme, high-altitude region. They combine flavor intensity, structure, purity of varietal flavors, and mineral textures; in the hands of the best, like Sebastian Zuccardi, this combination reaches harmony.
Sebastian Zuccardi is a third-generation winemaker, and the driving force behind the namesake Zuccardi winery. Our featured wine is part of their Aluvional series, which are Malbecs from distinctive sites on the Uco Valley's old river deposits. This one in particular is from the Gualtallary area - an impressive 4500ft above sea level - known for notably full-bodied but firmly-structured wines that carry a pronounced, mouthwatering vibrancy and 'crushed chalk' minerality. In order to preserve the regional character of the grapes, but still coax out the textures we love, Sebastian uses native yeast; ferments in concrete; ages the wine in untoasted, medium-sized (500L) barrels; and does not filter.
This is enjoyable now with just a little air, but it should evolve beautifully over the coming years. Argentina is famous for its grilled meats, and we can't think of a better pairing!
WINE ADVOCATE 98 POINTS - "The intense and high-pitched 2018 Aluvional Gualtallary has finesse, which is the challenge in this very wild zone of the Valle de Uco. This is a powerful zone because of the light and the cold nights, which make it difficult to achieve elegance in the wines, but they have worked in this direction. As with other 2018s, the aromas and flavors are fully developed, so there's more complexity, nuance and depth than in the 2017s, which ripened faster and earlier. A superb mineral Gualtallary with contained ripeness and wildness. 8,000 bottles were filled in August 2019."
Sebastian Zuccardi is a third-generation winemaker, and the driving force behind the namesake Zuccardi winery. Our featured wine is part of their Aluvional series, which are Malbecs from distinctive sites on the Uco Valley's old river deposits. This one in particular is from the Gualtallary area - an impressive 4500ft above sea level - known for notably full-bodied but firmly-structured wines that carry a pronounced, mouthwatering vibrancy and 'crushed chalk' minerality. In order to preserve the regional character of the grapes, but still coax out the textures we love, Sebastian uses native yeast; ferments in concrete; ages the wine in untoasted, medium-sized (500L) barrels; and does not filter.
This is enjoyable now with just a little air, but it should evolve beautifully over the coming years. Argentina is famous for its grilled meats, and we can't think of a better pairing!
WINE ADVOCATE 98 POINTS - "The intense and high-pitched 2018 Aluvional Gualtallary has finesse, which is the challenge in this very wild zone of the Valle de Uco. This is a powerful zone because of the light and the cold nights, which make it difficult to achieve elegance in the wines, but they have worked in this direction. As with other 2018s, the aromas and flavors are fully developed, so there's more complexity, nuance and depth than in the 2017s, which ripened faster and earlier. A superb mineral Gualtallary with contained ripeness and wildness. 8,000 bottles were filled in August 2019."
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