Bodega Atamisque Serbal Petit Verdot

“We want to make great wines, we want to be successful, but we don’t want to be big!” This is a small to medium sized producer that believes it must work within a pre-defined maximum scale in order to maintain the highest possible style and quality credentials. It’s working!

Located in the district of San José in Tupungato, Uco Valley, this stunning yet simple winery is the first you will see on the famous ‘Ruta del Vino’, Route 86. The humble slate roofs and drably coloured walls host an extremely impressive modern facility, where winemaker Philippe Caraguel quietly plies his trade, bringing a touch of French restraint to the fruits of these 100% estate-owned vineyards, many of which boast some particularly old vines.

Atamisque makes great Malbec, of course, but it is perhaps with ‘other’ varietals and blends that you will find the finest examples of Uco expression. Serbal Cabernet Franc, for example, is one of the most exciting and best value examples of this grape that we have ever tasted, from anywhere. There are three, easy to climb tiers in the range – Serbal, Catalpa and Atamisque itself – all named after indigenous trees and shrubs that can be found growing amongst the vines.

Petit Verdot,

Double guyot trained vines grown on alluvial soil with a rock foundation and top layers of sand-textured earth. A drip irrigation system is in place.

Fermented in stainless steel before being aged in stainless steel.

Could this be best value Petit Verdot in the world? It has the burning purity of a spear piercing the mediocrity of modern life, the stony black fruit infused intensity of this fabulous grape, unhindered by oak and redolent of its innate hint of graphite and, best of all, you don’t need a knife and fork to get into it.

Due to the natural high tannins and hardiness of Petit Verdot, it pairs well with rich meats such as veal, lamb, spicy pork, steak, sausage, and gamier meats.