Familia Zuccardi Concreto

Sebastian Zuccardi, grandson of the founder, is now in charge at this trailblazing family winery. Rapidly establishing himself as one of the great winemaking talents of Argentina, he is determined to alter the world's perception of Malbec and evolve our understanding of what Mendoza has to offer. He talks of not seeking perfect wines, but those that express the place, the region. His vision is not altitude, it is terroir: terroir honed and shaped by the icy Andes flood waters whose power brought the rocks and boulders that now form the sub-soils of many of the very best vineyards. Frequently pictured waist deep in a muddy hole in one of these vineyards, these rocks not only form part of the vineyard but in their new winery, they form the building and the fermentation vessels. At the forefront of the movement towards greater fruit purity, Sebastian's wines are the most convincing argument for the use of concrete fermentation and ageing vessels and, as a result, for the movement towards a greater understanding of the potential of Malbec and of Argentina in general. Though we may be a little biased, it is fair to say that Sebastian is amongst the most influential young winemakers on the planet.

Malbec,

From Paraje Altamira in the Uco Valley. Only the most stony and calcareous plots of the vineyard are chosen.

The harvest of 2021 was a great one. Due to its cool and humid weather conditions, grapes had the time they needed to reach their optimal ripeness with a perfect balance of acidity/sugars and outstanding tannin structure. Our painstaking work to selectively harvest by plot and soil type (a practice we have been implementing for over a decade) allowed us to harvest each corner of the vineyard at the perfect time and, in so doing, showcase the great diversity that characterizes Uco Valley.

50% whole cluster fermentation in concrete vats without expoxy using native yeasts and maceration for 20 days. Malolactic fermentation and ageing in concrete vats.

This is bright, elegant and restrained. Cool red fruit and a slatey character with dried herb undertones. Fermentation and storage are done completely in concrete vessels without epoxy, to avoid the influence of aromas and flavors which do not come from the vineyard, and to amplify the texture that conveys the energy of the Uco Valley. And what a texture this is! Hold the wine in your mouth to enjoy the full textural journey.

Food wise, don't pair this with any heavy sauces. Let the natural flavours work together. Lighter steak cuts such as fillet, pork chops or tenderloin. Veggie wise, beetroot salad or heretage tomatoes and burrata are a winner.