Las Estelas Leticia Cabernet Cabernet

Estela Perinetti and her wines known as Las Estelas. Estela was one of the first of South America’s rapidly growing family of women winemakers. She spent more than two decades heading up some of Catena’s most high-profile winery projects and she has been very much in demand as one of Mendoza’s leading consultants since. Las Estelas is her baby!

The story begins in the early 1940s when Estela’s grandfather, Dr. Hector Perinetti, son of an immigrant from Piedmont, purchased a piece of land in Tupungato and planted Semillon. (At that time this area was considered too cold for red grapes!) When aged just two years old his eldest son, Hector Junior, named the vineyard – Finca Mangato.

As these vines became old and increasingly non-viable in the 1990s, Estela and her mother – Estela Armando, also a winemaker! – decided to grub up the Semillon to plant red varietals such as Malbec, the Cabernets Sauvignon and Franc, and Merlot and Syrah, and these vines form the basis of Las Estelas today. A little Chardonnay is also planted, watch this space.

Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Leticia, which means Joy in Latin, is the name of one of winemaker Estela Perinetti’s Daughters, with the range inspired by her frank and genuine laugh and her refreshing gaze.

Grapes come from Finca Mangato vines in El Paral, Tupungato at 1,200 metres above sea level, planted on shallow sandy-loam soils.

A blend of 70% Cabernet Franc with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Intriguingly, 70% of the Cab Sauv parcel is co-fermented with the Cab Franc, and the remaining 30% of Cab Sauv is aged for 9 months in second use French oak.

Selected yeasts are used and fermentation is carried out at relatively low temperatures for 12 days in stainless steel tanks.

There is a very strong sense here that nothing is left to chance and the results are fabulous. The nose screams neither varietal on its own but, rather, offers up an holistic approach to blending as can be seen in Estela’s other wines. The effect is harmonious throughout from notes of hibiscus flowers and spice on the nose through to plump cassis and juicy redcurrant in the mouth. A superbly crafted blend representing fantastic value for money.

This wine is made for lamb! Aubergine dishes or pastas would also be a perfect choice here to be honest.